Unsung Hereos essay
Amy Smith
Professor ashton
EDEL 325
February 26, 2014
Unsung Heroes
A hero is a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities. In Zinn’s “Unsung Heroes” he enumerates false heroes that are often found among former US presidents and military people. Zinn reminds us of the crimes each of them has committed. He suggests that the undue idols be taken off their pedestal and be replaced by real heroes.
Zinn is supporting all of the “unremembered” heroes in the United States and in the world for that matter. We focus on national idols such as Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Theodore Roosevelt and we should be focusing and recognizing honorable people such as Mark Twain, John Ross, Helen Keller, and Emma Goldman. The heroes that we acknowledge today are presented to the public in an over-simplified form without many inconvenient details. He is trying to show the unknown heroes in our society, and to appreciate them for the peace, justice, and freedom they brought to our country. Bigelow understands the message Zinn is conveying and encourages students to reach beyond the familiar list of heroes and value those who truly fought for social justice that were not recognized. Zinn’s interpretations were exquisite and really made the students think. He really engaged the class with this project and unlike most teachers he let the students play a part in the lesson. He let them voice their opinions and have a say in what they liked and did not like. This attitude towards students really shows how much you want them to learn and get out of this activity. Bigelow wants all of his students to know the truth and he wants his students to make sense of race and gender and the role it has played in shaping society.
Children should have an extended list of heroes that include a greater diversity of individuals. Children should have the more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of United States history that would not be found in traditional
Professor ashton
EDEL 325
February 26, 2014
Unsung Heroes
A hero is a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities. In Zinn’s “Unsung Heroes” he enumerates false heroes that are often found among former US presidents and military people. Zinn reminds us of the crimes each of them has committed. He suggests that the undue idols be taken off their pedestal and be replaced by real heroes.
Zinn is supporting all of the “unremembered” heroes in the United States and in the world for that matter. We focus on national idols such as Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Theodore Roosevelt and we should be focusing and recognizing honorable people such as Mark Twain, John Ross, Helen Keller, and Emma Goldman. The heroes that we acknowledge today are presented to the public in an over-simplified form without many inconvenient details. He is trying to show the unknown heroes in our society, and to appreciate them for the peace, justice, and freedom they brought to our country. Bigelow understands the message Zinn is conveying and encourages students to reach beyond the familiar list of heroes and value those who truly fought for social justice that were not recognized. Zinn’s interpretations were exquisite and really made the students think. He really engaged the class with this project and unlike most teachers he let the students play a part in the lesson. He let them voice their opinions and have a say in what they liked and did not like. This attitude towards students really shows how much you want them to learn and get out of this activity. Bigelow wants all of his students to know the truth and he wants his students to make sense of race and gender and the role it has played in shaping society.
Children should have an extended list of heroes that include a greater diversity of individuals. Children should have the more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of United States history that would not be found in traditional