I read the Way-Back-Machine Article titled "From “Peace and Love” to Phoenix of Hate"
By Henry Schulte. I quote from Mr. Schulte as follows>
"One of the highlights of my life and the profession I enjoyed the most, was owning and operating the Goleta Valley Athletic Club. I never went to college and my father loaned me the seed money to purchase the club as an alternative to higher indoctrination." AND
"Even John Travolta honed his dancing skills in that studio." AND
"They worked. They took responsibility. They took pride in their job. They were wonderful employees."
Well, Well, Well Mr. Schulte our paths cross like Ships in the Night.
Every morning, I was at your GVAC when it opened, and Yes Travolta was there because it was me and him in the weight room early am. Then I was off to work at Research Park next door at Channel Industries and back at lunch for a quick swim. Do you remember Jeff M. your Manager?
As a group of Engineers, we ran out of GVAC at 5:00 pm and it was a bustling work-out center.
Great Place as you say with a very good staff and I have very good memories of GVAC.
In fact, many professional folks I met at GVAC and knew for the next 20 years all from GVAC.
So my Hat is Off to you for running a very good place for people to get to know each other.
Howard Walther, Member of a Military Family
PS1- I think we have met each other at GVAC. I was a fixture there.
Hey Howard. We must have met. Probably recognize you, though a lot of years half passed. If you’re speaking of the same Jeff M., it was his father I bought the club from. Always appreciate the kind feedback. Thanks
Thanks for the reply, Henry. Yes, I did not want to put Jeffs last name down here.
Really though GVAC was a gathering place for alot of us back in the day. After our
5pm group run, with Jeff M, from GVAC we all headed over to Woodys. Sad that alot of businesses left SB/Goleta and/or owners left as in downtown SB State Street. Not too many of the original folks here anymore .... most left or driven out.
Earlier this month, I celebrated my 50th high school reunion at Glendale Academy. It felt like opening a time capsule—reconnecting with classmates over shared memories and laughter. Despite differing beliefs, we left our egos behind. One person tried to stir conflict, but her remarks were ignored, and the evening remained filled with mutual respect and joy.
Like you, Henry, my path has been unpredictable—marked by gritty jobs and entrepreneurial ventures, all grounded in strong moral and spiritual values. We must remember there's a time and place for expressing beliefs, and sometimes, it's best to pause and celebrate how far we’ve come.
Your story of integrity and risk-taking is inspiring and deserves to be heard more often.
Just last week, a neighbor stopped to check out my CyberTruck. That chance encounter led to a surprising string of coincidences and a new friendship. We’ll soon be neighbors in the woods near Bend, OR.
Henry, it’s time America refocuses on its people's goodness. Let’s take the mic back from the loudest voices of anger and division and instead lift the quiet, respectful pursuit of happiness that unites us.
You start out with a drawing showing that trust in the media has been lost, but then try disingenuously to peddle a mainstream media narrative to your readers in your attack against free speech at Columbia University. Nice try. Free speech is an American value. Disagreeing with said speech doesn't make it any less so. You then mock and belittle parents who paid for their kids to attend college; kids who voice their morals against genocide with American money. You didn't stop at sneering at their parents, you wanted to go the extra mile by implying that an education is worthless as "they tossed all that money away." Sounds like you are jealous of the educated class, who has critical thinking skills that you lack.
How could you believe that a college education today develops critical thinking when 90% of faculty hold one set of far left beliefs? Did your sociology teacher tell you that it is so? Quite the opposite, today’s colleges indoctrinate students to a socially, morally and ethically depraved worldview not based on critical thinking but on conformity to the group.
What an incredibly stupid comment. My sociology teacher? No, people who have critical thinking skills do not parrot ideas just because a person or the media tells them so. This is why the protests took place. You need to re-read my comment since you missed the entire point of it. I'm not sure how you were an engineer without having gone to college.
I drove the little train at the zoo. I also freelance as a puppeteer and work part time as a nail tech. I sort nails by pennyweight for the construction crew. I also know that if your writing is an example of the fruits of higher education, you wasted your money.
Eye opening commentary today. Yes, trust for the media is running on empty. For some perspective, it’s interesting to travel outside of our little SB bubble as I did this week.
While attending a graduation party in Eudora, Kansas, held on a 1200 acre corn/soybean family farm, the folks could not have been more gracious and hospitable. This particular farm had been in the family over 150 years and was sold by a Native American Chief to the family ancestors.
Of course they asked me where I was from, and they all wanted to know more about Santa Barbara. A few had visited before, one guy is actually project manager for an apartment building going up in IV. He unloaded on me about the endless regulatory challenges. Total project cost is about $80 million with half going towards the various bureaucratic shakedowns.
Many seemed very curious about life in the “Golden State,” and asked me specifically about our recent fires.
I went on to explain how many fire hydrants were dry, reservoirs empty and multiple million dollar homes went up in smoke.
The look on these peoples faces were one of confusion, almost as though I was speaking a foreign language. One “old timer” farmer asked me, “why do you folks put up with that?” To which I had no cogent response! Explaining that reservoirs were dry in part, due to water spilling into the ocean in an effort to protect an endangered smelt was way too complicated!
Thanks for you good report from outside the California bubble. I assume they would be even more confounded when you explained California has had term limits for two decades, which was intended to protect us from "bad government".
It behooves us all to be able to explain how and why things went so very wrong in this state. The rest of the nation will benefit learning from the mistakes we made, so they do not repeat them themselves.
Dear Henry Schulte, Thank you so much for your trip down a peaceful memory lane. The "kids" you mentored were blessed to have had the opportunity to work with you and to be able to prosper in a commonsense world you created for them - and yourself. Carol Redhead
I remember the hippie prof from UCSB. He used to boast that he never knowingly had a Republican in his home. As I recall he also got passed over in his career progress and was estranged from and bitter about UCSB. We often chatted in the locker room and though we agreed on nothing, it was always civil. I also remember a trainer about 5'8" tall and as wide with a huge moustache reminiscent of Paul Sr from orange county choppers. Thank you for GVAC. I have many fond memories from many years of membership.
Many complex issues facing 2026 voters. Where are the reliable sources of information to steer voters? If polls and reports are any indication, in 2024 Trump gained ground with youth. (Circle.tufts.edu and PEW). In 2024, the 25–29 age group leaned slightly toward Trump but the 18–24 favored Kamala Harris by 10–12 points (55–57% vs. 43–45% for Trump). Reported reasons:
2) economy (inflation, housing/ rent $1800/mo, student debt/ average $30K per borrower);
3) social issues (values: perceptions of divisive/ inclusive). Tik Tok and X were primary media influencers. Reportedly, lobbyists like Planned Parenthood ($20M) successfully targeted 60% of young women voters for Harris. Chambers of Commerce lobbies targeted young workers of both genders for Trump.
Nationally, only 42% of 18- to 29-year-olds voted (20 million out of 50 million eligible). How many voted in Santa Barbara County? What about District 2 (Capps) with SBCC & UCSB?
Local 2024 ESTIMATES registration only for Santa Barbara County demographic age 18-29: approximately 40,779 voters were registered.
• Democrats: ~24,467 (60%). UCSB & SBCC students driven
• Republicans: ~8,156 (20%).
• No Party Preference: ~6,525 (16%).
• Other: ~1,631 (4%).
County-voter party breakdown (all ages October 2024):
• Democrats: 46% (~117,241 voters).
• Republicans: 25% (~63,718 voters).
• No Party Preference (NPP): 22% (~56,071 voters).
• Other/minor parties: 7% (~17,841 voters).
Voter turnout remains one local challenge. Registration of 16-17 year olds in classrooms in public schools twice a year is another challenge. Why public school voter registration? Because students can NOT be asked citizenship status; and most are trained to do what they are told. Check the box, sign your name.
Do any of the Democrats bitch about how screwed up the state is? No? They like how it's going? If not, will they vote for the Democrats next time? Dumb-asses.
Stop idolizing nostalgia. The same liberals who "were normal" created this modern world and all it's decay - there is no respectable liberalism, Liberalism is a Sin - El liberalismo es pecado. "Oh but at least the news was okay! At least people were friendly!" And? Who cares? It's better that people show their true faces because Christ came to bring a sword, to make peoppe side with him or against him.
"Sardà [19th century priest who wrote the book liberalism is a sin] believed that liberalism is the "burning issue of our century" : it is the "radical and absolute negation of the sovereignty of God". It is all the more dangerous because it became an official legal error, introduced into the government of princes by powerful figures." Liberalism is chlorine triflouride in political form - it corrodes all it touches and has destroyed Christendom - and yes the same liberalism from the 1700's in Europe and the America's is the same poision thar created the rot you despise today. Yet you cheer for the former - your worldview is a contradiction - beinf okay with liberalism and championing it's earlier forms yet despising the fruit of liberalism. I have said it before, yet evidently it can't penetrate your skulls - "Liberalism is a revolutionary movement and worldview. It doesn't stop and say "Ah, this is enough!" It will corrode the norms of every era - because liberalism by natute overturns what is consideree traditional in that era". Of course - you people will either mock, remain silent, or deflect... but hey - your funeral. Carlist gang, out.
Thanks for this. I think Liberalism is a particular form of the sin of pride, the top sin of our age, imo. I highly recommend the presentation of Pascal's Pensees by Peter Kreeft for a great discussion about modernism, hedonism and nihilism which have been able to undercut Christendom, the foundation of Western Civilization. We abandon our heritage and moral patrimony of our forebears at our peril. We worship the creations of man over the creator of all, God, at our peril.
Henry says "But, dedicating 1% of the population, who decided they’re transgender, 90% of the attention, has pushed the common-sense barrier a bit too far." DITTO, Henry, so why is our country so dedicated to the needs of the wealthiest 1%, who have decided they're entitled to it, that the 99% must fight over the remaining crumbs - to the point that some of us would even cancel Headstart, SNAP, Medicare, and VA benefits just to keep a few extra bucks in their pockets instead of taxing the rich? That appears to me to be pushing the common sense barrier a bit too far as well.
A breath of fresh air once again. I remember your phone call about starting up a publication. You told me that you had gone to UCSB to study and become a Webmaster. I clearly recall me asking you: "Webmaster, what is that?" You have always been an exemplary leader Henry, in precept and by example. Thank you for all that you do for our community. It matters.
I thought this would be a contrast of the "Peace and Love" liberals of yesteryear (hippies) to the absolute pathetic haters the left has become. Peace and love has become burn it all down with violence.
Fingers point to the Zinning of America for this recent radical hate America agenda. Several full cohorts of K-12 students have now been exposed to the Zinn version of American history: https://www.zinnedproject.org
So much of the ready litany we hear from these younger people with almost zero real life experiences, come from these Zinn inspired marching orders. The irony being they represent a slavish adoration of what their teachers inserted in their brains, as they march against the "Trump dictatorship". While they readily label any opposition to their K-12 Zinn-formed version of America as cult members.
History always deserves revision. So that is not the issue. It does not deserve intentional indoctrination. Just read today some state is re-introducing "family values" back into their K-12 educational curriculum, simply because they remain the best foundation for successful adult lives and escaping the traps of lifetime poverty. Time heals all wounds. Time wounds all heels.
Perfect summation JL. I remember well when Howard Zinn’s history book was the talk of the town and confused parents: ‘It must be good because the elite privates (Bishop Diego, Cate, …) are changing over’ to Howard Zinn's “A People's History of the United States," published in 1980. “It presents American history from the perspectives of marginalized groups, such as workers, women, and minorities, challenging traditional narratives that often glorify the nation” reported reviews. Zinn paves the way for social justice, Just Communities — the local public school mandated student indoctrination trainings. I remember the SBHigh AP US History teacher discussing with parents that he’d hold weekly library lunch session (parents invited) to discuss US History from various perspectives of gender, race, demographics. In AP History of Western Civilization more optional discussion sessions were held. Exceptional, impactful discussions!
Exit interviews of AP students confirmed they welcomed and valued the opportunity to learn and discuss history from different perspectives beyond simply the status quo standard singular version of historical highlights. However, Zinn’s book was criticized for its narrow negative focus: not recommended.
Bright students know their country is great for many varied reasons, while America continues to have major flaws in need of correction. As an observer during these lunch sessions, I left impressed, uplifted at the depth of knowledge and understanding of historical complexities by these students. Too bad with a third or fifth grade proficiency level more local students and their parents won’t and don’t access in depth US history sessions to learn we each contribute to our country’s greatness in different ways. AP classes are accessible, open to all students.
JL - Dear heart - "History always deserves revision. . ." Perhaps that deserves a slight modification: "The interpretation of history always deserves revision." :)
A good article. Thanks Mr. Schulte. Let me add that during the time of the B of A burning, there was at least one death. Kevin Moran. He was shot. I don't think that crime was ever solved.
I vaguely remember that. And yes, there were “riots” over Vietnam. I wouldn’t be surprised Pelosi would have been someone at the airport spitting on our soldiers who did nothing wrong but follow orders.
brilliant commentary And heartbreaking to realize where we are now.
Thank you, Dr. Laura. I have hope that those young ones coming up will be more clear eyed.
Yes Dr. Laura Schlessinger and getting worse by the minute>
Director of FBI Kash Patel>
https://x.com/C_3C_3/status/1924115865080840641
I read the Way-Back-Machine Article titled "From “Peace and Love” to Phoenix of Hate"
By Henry Schulte. I quote from Mr. Schulte as follows>
"One of the highlights of my life and the profession I enjoyed the most, was owning and operating the Goleta Valley Athletic Club. I never went to college and my father loaned me the seed money to purchase the club as an alternative to higher indoctrination." AND
"Even John Travolta honed his dancing skills in that studio." AND
"They worked. They took responsibility. They took pride in their job. They were wonderful employees."
Well, Well, Well Mr. Schulte our paths cross like Ships in the Night.
Every morning, I was at your GVAC when it opened, and Yes Travolta was there because it was me and him in the weight room early am. Then I was off to work at Research Park next door at Channel Industries and back at lunch for a quick swim. Do you remember Jeff M. your Manager?
As a group of Engineers, we ran out of GVAC at 5:00 pm and it was a bustling work-out center.
Great Place as you say with a very good staff and I have very good memories of GVAC.
In fact, many professional folks I met at GVAC and knew for the next 20 years all from GVAC.
So my Hat is Off to you for running a very good place for people to get to know each other.
Howard Walther, Member of a Military Family
PS1- I think we have met each other at GVAC. I was a fixture there.
Hey Howard. We must have met. Probably recognize you, though a lot of years half passed. If you’re speaking of the same Jeff M., it was his father I bought the club from. Always appreciate the kind feedback. Thanks
Thanks for the reply, Henry. Yes, I did not want to put Jeffs last name down here.
Really though GVAC was a gathering place for alot of us back in the day. After our
5pm group run, with Jeff M, from GVAC we all headed over to Woodys. Sad that alot of businesses left SB/Goleta and/or owners left as in downtown SB State Street. Not too many of the original folks here anymore .... most left or driven out.
Earlier this month, I celebrated my 50th high school reunion at Glendale Academy. It felt like opening a time capsule—reconnecting with classmates over shared memories and laughter. Despite differing beliefs, we left our egos behind. One person tried to stir conflict, but her remarks were ignored, and the evening remained filled with mutual respect and joy.
Like you, Henry, my path has been unpredictable—marked by gritty jobs and entrepreneurial ventures, all grounded in strong moral and spiritual values. We must remember there's a time and place for expressing beliefs, and sometimes, it's best to pause and celebrate how far we’ve come.
Your story of integrity and risk-taking is inspiring and deserves to be heard more often.
Just last week, a neighbor stopped to check out my CyberTruck. That chance encounter led to a surprising string of coincidences and a new friendship. We’ll soon be neighbors in the woods near Bend, OR.
Henry, it’s time America refocuses on its people's goodness. Let’s take the mic back from the loudest voices of anger and division and instead lift the quiet, respectful pursuit of happiness that unites us.
You start out with a drawing showing that trust in the media has been lost, but then try disingenuously to peddle a mainstream media narrative to your readers in your attack against free speech at Columbia University. Nice try. Free speech is an American value. Disagreeing with said speech doesn't make it any less so. You then mock and belittle parents who paid for their kids to attend college; kids who voice their morals against genocide with American money. You didn't stop at sneering at their parents, you wanted to go the extra mile by implying that an education is worthless as "they tossed all that money away." Sounds like you are jealous of the educated class, who has critical thinking skills that you lack.
How could you believe that a college education today develops critical thinking when 90% of faculty hold one set of far left beliefs? Did your sociology teacher tell you that it is so? Quite the opposite, today’s colleges indoctrinate students to a socially, morally and ethically depraved worldview not based on critical thinking but on conformity to the group.
What an incredibly stupid comment. My sociology teacher? No, people who have critical thinking skills do not parrot ideas just because a person or the media tells them so. This is why the protests took place. You need to re-read my comment since you missed the entire point of it. I'm not sure how you were an engineer without having gone to college.
I drove the little train at the zoo. I also freelance as a puppeteer and work part time as a nail tech. I sort nails by pennyweight for the construction crew. I also know that if your writing is an example of the fruits of higher education, you wasted your money.
Sounds like your class envy is just as strong as Henry's, as is your disregard for the first amendment and America. My money wasn't wasted.
Class? What class do I envy? Certainly not the Marxist left of recent college grads who do not know shit from shinola.
Defending free speech in America is not "marxist." Maybe if you actually went to college instead of insulting those who did, you'd know this.
Eye opening commentary today. Yes, trust for the media is running on empty. For some perspective, it’s interesting to travel outside of our little SB bubble as I did this week.
While attending a graduation party in Eudora, Kansas, held on a 1200 acre corn/soybean family farm, the folks could not have been more gracious and hospitable. This particular farm had been in the family over 150 years and was sold by a Native American Chief to the family ancestors.
Of course they asked me where I was from, and they all wanted to know more about Santa Barbara. A few had visited before, one guy is actually project manager for an apartment building going up in IV. He unloaded on me about the endless regulatory challenges. Total project cost is about $80 million with half going towards the various bureaucratic shakedowns.
Many seemed very curious about life in the “Golden State,” and asked me specifically about our recent fires.
I went on to explain how many fire hydrants were dry, reservoirs empty and multiple million dollar homes went up in smoke.
The look on these peoples faces were one of confusion, almost as though I was speaking a foreign language. One “old timer” farmer asked me, “why do you folks put up with that?” To which I had no cogent response! Explaining that reservoirs were dry in part, due to water spilling into the ocean in an effort to protect an endangered smelt was way too complicated!
Thanks for you good report from outside the California bubble. I assume they would be even more confounded when you explained California has had term limits for two decades, which was intended to protect us from "bad government".
It behooves us all to be able to explain how and why things went so very wrong in this state. The rest of the nation will benefit learning from the mistakes we made, so they do not repeat them themselves.
Dear Henry Schulte, Thank you so much for your trip down a peaceful memory lane. The "kids" you mentored were blessed to have had the opportunity to work with you and to be able to prosper in a commonsense world you created for them - and yourself. Carol Redhead
I remember the hippie prof from UCSB. He used to boast that he never knowingly had a Republican in his home. As I recall he also got passed over in his career progress and was estranged from and bitter about UCSB. We often chatted in the locker room and though we agreed on nothing, it was always civil. I also remember a trainer about 5'8" tall and as wide with a huge moustache reminiscent of Paul Sr from orange county choppers. Thank you for GVAC. I have many fond memories from many years of membership.
It is a great read with many things I learned. Thank you!
Many complex issues facing 2026 voters. Where are the reliable sources of information to steer voters? If polls and reports are any indication, in 2024 Trump gained ground with youth. (Circle.tufts.edu and PEW). In 2024, the 25–29 age group leaned slightly toward Trump but the 18–24 favored Kamala Harris by 10–12 points (55–57% vs. 43–45% for Trump). Reported reasons:
1) abortion (Dobbs 2022 SCOTUS ruling removing protections/state bans);
2) economy (inflation, housing/ rent $1800/mo, student debt/ average $30K per borrower);
3) social issues (values: perceptions of divisive/ inclusive). Tik Tok and X were primary media influencers. Reportedly, lobbyists like Planned Parenthood ($20M) successfully targeted 60% of young women voters for Harris. Chambers of Commerce lobbies targeted young workers of both genders for Trump.
Nationally, only 42% of 18- to 29-year-olds voted (20 million out of 50 million eligible). How many voted in Santa Barbara County? What about District 2 (Capps) with SBCC & UCSB?
Local 2024 ESTIMATES registration only for Santa Barbara County demographic age 18-29: approximately 40,779 voters were registered.
• Democrats: ~24,467 (60%). UCSB & SBCC students driven
• Republicans: ~8,156 (20%).
• No Party Preference: ~6,525 (16%).
• Other: ~1,631 (4%).
County-voter party breakdown (all ages October 2024):
• Democrats: 46% (~117,241 voters).
• Republicans: 25% (~63,718 voters).
• No Party Preference (NPP): 22% (~56,071 voters).
• Other/minor parties: 7% (~17,841 voters).
Voter turnout remains one local challenge. Registration of 16-17 year olds in classrooms in public schools twice a year is another challenge. Why public school voter registration? Because students can NOT be asked citizenship status; and most are trained to do what they are told. Check the box, sign your name.
Do any of the Democrats bitch about how screwed up the state is? No? They like how it's going? If not, will they vote for the Democrats next time? Dumb-asses.
Stop idolizing nostalgia. The same liberals who "were normal" created this modern world and all it's decay - there is no respectable liberalism, Liberalism is a Sin - El liberalismo es pecado. "Oh but at least the news was okay! At least people were friendly!" And? Who cares? It's better that people show their true faces because Christ came to bring a sword, to make peoppe side with him or against him.
"Sardà [19th century priest who wrote the book liberalism is a sin] believed that liberalism is the "burning issue of our century" : it is the "radical and absolute negation of the sovereignty of God". It is all the more dangerous because it became an official legal error, introduced into the government of princes by powerful figures." Liberalism is chlorine triflouride in political form - it corrodes all it touches and has destroyed Christendom - and yes the same liberalism from the 1700's in Europe and the America's is the same poision thar created the rot you despise today. Yet you cheer for the former - your worldview is a contradiction - beinf okay with liberalism and championing it's earlier forms yet despising the fruit of liberalism. I have said it before, yet evidently it can't penetrate your skulls - "Liberalism is a revolutionary movement and worldview. It doesn't stop and say "Ah, this is enough!" It will corrode the norms of every era - because liberalism by natute overturns what is consideree traditional in that era". Of course - you people will either mock, remain silent, or deflect... but hey - your funeral. Carlist gang, out.
Thanks for this. I think Liberalism is a particular form of the sin of pride, the top sin of our age, imo. I highly recommend the presentation of Pascal's Pensees by Peter Kreeft for a great discussion about modernism, hedonism and nihilism which have been able to undercut Christendom, the foundation of Western Civilization. We abandon our heritage and moral patrimony of our forebears at our peril. We worship the creations of man over the creator of all, God, at our peril.
Henry says "But, dedicating 1% of the population, who decided they’re transgender, 90% of the attention, has pushed the common-sense barrier a bit too far." DITTO, Henry, so why is our country so dedicated to the needs of the wealthiest 1%, who have decided they're entitled to it, that the 99% must fight over the remaining crumbs - to the point that some of us would even cancel Headstart, SNAP, Medicare, and VA benefits just to keep a few extra bucks in their pockets instead of taxing the rich? That appears to me to be pushing the common sense barrier a bit too far as well.
A breath of fresh air once again. I remember your phone call about starting up a publication. You told me that you had gone to UCSB to study and become a Webmaster. I clearly recall me asking you: "Webmaster, what is that?" You have always been an exemplary leader Henry, in precept and by example. Thank you for all that you do for our community. It matters.
I thought this would be a contrast of the "Peace and Love" liberals of yesteryear (hippies) to the absolute pathetic haters the left has become. Peace and love has become burn it all down with violence.
Fingers point to the Zinning of America for this recent radical hate America agenda. Several full cohorts of K-12 students have now been exposed to the Zinn version of American history: https://www.zinnedproject.org
So much of the ready litany we hear from these younger people with almost zero real life experiences, come from these Zinn inspired marching orders. The irony being they represent a slavish adoration of what their teachers inserted in their brains, as they march against the "Trump dictatorship". While they readily label any opposition to their K-12 Zinn-formed version of America as cult members.
History always deserves revision. So that is not the issue. It does not deserve intentional indoctrination. Just read today some state is re-introducing "family values" back into their K-12 educational curriculum, simply because they remain the best foundation for successful adult lives and escaping the traps of lifetime poverty. Time heals all wounds. Time wounds all heels.
Perfect summation JL. I remember well when Howard Zinn’s history book was the talk of the town and confused parents: ‘It must be good because the elite privates (Bishop Diego, Cate, …) are changing over’ to Howard Zinn's “A People's History of the United States," published in 1980. “It presents American history from the perspectives of marginalized groups, such as workers, women, and minorities, challenging traditional narratives that often glorify the nation” reported reviews. Zinn paves the way for social justice, Just Communities — the local public school mandated student indoctrination trainings. I remember the SBHigh AP US History teacher discussing with parents that he’d hold weekly library lunch session (parents invited) to discuss US History from various perspectives of gender, race, demographics. In AP History of Western Civilization more optional discussion sessions were held. Exceptional, impactful discussions!
Exit interviews of AP students confirmed they welcomed and valued the opportunity to learn and discuss history from different perspectives beyond simply the status quo standard singular version of historical highlights. However, Zinn’s book was criticized for its narrow negative focus: not recommended.
Bright students know their country is great for many varied reasons, while America continues to have major flaws in need of correction. As an observer during these lunch sessions, I left impressed, uplifted at the depth of knowledge and understanding of historical complexities by these students. Too bad with a third or fifth grade proficiency level more local students and their parents won’t and don’t access in depth US history sessions to learn we each contribute to our country’s greatness in different ways. AP classes are accessible, open to all students.
In fairness, we got a pretty heavy dose of anti-communism indoctrination in our own 1950-60's public schooling.
JL - Dear heart - "History always deserves revision. . ." Perhaps that deserves a slight modification: "The interpretation of history always deserves revision." :)
Excellent point, Earl. Point taken.
A good article. Thanks Mr. Schulte. Let me add that during the time of the B of A burning, there was at least one death. Kevin Moran. He was shot. I don't think that crime was ever solved.
I vaguely remember that. And yes, there were “riots” over Vietnam. I wouldn’t be surprised Pelosi would have been someone at the airport spitting on our soldiers who did nothing wrong but follow orders.
Follow orders and step up to do what they thought was right.
The legacy media is like the boy who cried wolf.
Eventually the truth sneaks out