We hate to say it. But that stuff you learned in school… you know, “history”… turns out it’s not all as historical as one might imagine. The problem with recounting something that we weren’t there to see and experience is that humans have an innate habit to put a spin on it to fit our needs. Much like the game of telephone, details change the more ear canals it passes through and the more years that go by. People need heroes, not truth- or so history writers would assume.
Paul Revere’s midnight ride was greatly distorted for a simple poem- and then became solid “fact” in history books throughout our nation. Rosa Parks was not the first black woman to stand up for her rights and refuse to give up her 11th row seat (not front) to sit in the back of the bus. Claudette Colvin was. But because Claudette was 15 and pregnant out of wedlock, the NAACP thought she was a bad example. They wanted someone more honorable- someone like their secretary- one Mrs. Rosa Parks. Thanksgiving has been “recreated” in elementary schools for decades honoring the Pilgrims and their settlement in the New World. But the horrific truth about that time in our history is so savage and devastating, that there truly is nothing to celebrate or feast over. It is quite preferable that the holiday has become more about family, food, and fun than remembrance. That goes for Christmas, too. December 25 was never meant to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Unless Jesus is the only person to celebrate his birthday around the six month mark. Jesus was born in the Summer. December 25 was originally a Pagan holiday and the Catholics of the time just couldn’t allow it so they created a holiday on the same day so their religious agenda could supersede that of the Pagans. It is also quite preferable that now Christmas marks a time to treasure your loved ones, gather with friends and family and celebrate life after a crazy year.
From how we got here to who is really responsible for most of the things we believe, man has been retooling the truth since pen could hit paper. If you don’t believe it, try googling (or bing-ing) any subject you can think of. If you can’t find opposing opinions on something you consider fact, then you aren’t looking very hard. One glance at your Facebook page will illustrate how quickly someone’s panicked post of knowledge will be “snoped” (www.snopes.com) right out of the water. The saying used to be “believe half of what you read and none of what you hear.” We would say that that 50% is more like 12% now. This list goes on and on. Feel free to spend some time researching our past. You might be shocked what you find.
The Truth Hurts 