The Myths We Tell Our Children

The Myths We Tell Our Children

By Wannetta Hartman

During a week of news filled with lies amongst leaders and conservative media, I am reminded of the missing virtues from those who are role models for our children.

‘I cannot tell a lie, I did cut it with my hatchet,” said the young George Washington according to his biography written by Mason Locke Weems after Washington’s death. This myth appeared in the fifth edition of The Life of Washington in 1806.

Though profit was a motive for writing the book, Weems also wanted to give a perfect role model for young Americans according to Jay Richardson from George Mason University. Weems was considered one of the fathers of popular history and knew what the public wanted to read. (A time when reading was the main media for receiving the news.)

In 1836, Weem’s version of the cherry tree myth, was used by William Holmes McGuffey who wrote textbooks that retold the myth as a children’s story in his McGuffey Readers.  Over one hundred and twenty million copies were sold during the next two hundred years.

Both men believed that educating children was the best way to improve the morals of society. Americans liked the story, and it became a part of the American cultural heritage.

Richardson in his article states that stories are seen as credible because people already know them. They like the story, and it becomes a part of their truth.

Retelling untruths or lies helps to create virtuous heroes in the eyes of people who want to believe in myths (lies) to promote their own version of virtues. They believe that they are the keepers of history when it matches their own beliefs.

George Washington was the standard set for future presidents and leaders of the country. I do not doubt the history books that recount his many heroic acts. However, in the 1700 and 1800’s heroism looked different from today.

Today telling the truth about the histories of the Native Americans, Black, Brown, Asian, and LGBTQ2+ are stories people aren’t as familiar with. If some of our leaders have their way, these stories will never be told. They are being banned from schools by legislators of several states. This action omits accurate accounts of history from these children. This denial of the various cultures that make up the country does not make it stronger. Nor does enhancing the leader’s abilities in the early years of our country ensure truth telling youths.  However, every child regardless of their culture deserves to have heroes that look and believe the way they do.

We should speak out against legislators who deny all children the opportunity to learn about their own heritage. When conservatives refer to woke culture, they are aware that people are awakening to the truth about the full spectrum of their American history. Despite their insistence that white man was the first to make history in our country and pay tribute through books that make them look like heroes, they neglect to admit that natives who were already here and the immigrants who moved here from other parts of the world contributed to its prosperity. These diverse cultures should get the recognition they deserve, and children should learn about their contributions as well as the hardships they face.