1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
Just a little back story: my dad was Native American. He was from the Menominee Nation. I understood even as a small child without anyone telling me that something happened to the Natives. I didn’t really know what that meant, nor did I have the language to articulate what I feeling. I kind of see it now as an inherited mistrust of history curriculums. That sounds silly but I think the ancestors try to protect us through inherited wisdom.
Anyways, I was in elementary school and I was probably in the 2nd or 3rd grade and Columbus comes up and I become inamored by the Natives. The problem was the natives were only featured on the first couple of pages and that did not sit well with me. I asked the teacher where the rest of the story went, told her my dad was Native, and that I wanted to learn more about the Natives. She was visibly uncomfortable and she explained it all away and moved on. I could smell the deceit and I was kid. I took everything in history class with a grain of salt and regurgitated what they wanted me to know. It wasn’t until my brother gave me James W. Loewen’s book “Lies My Teacher Told Me” when I was in the 6th grade that I could hear the story for the first time.
That book changed my life and made me every history teachers least favorite student. I was really lucky that I catch on quick because I’ve been learning more about the many atrocities the government enacted against the Natives. I’ve made it my mission since I was in the 6th grade. It’s my resistance.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does that challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
The loss of the these empires was a loss to the world. The intellect, irrigation systems, the educational systems, basic city maintenance, basic hygiene, and natural rhythm of these cities alone was something the Europeans couldn’t imitate on their best day. They only brought what they knew- death, destruction, and decay.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does this omission serve?
They were excluded because if people knew how advanced these cities were and how Europe forced itself upon them it would humanize these societies in same way that words like nomadic and savaged dehumanize them. This would paint the original land thieves in a less forgiving light. Nothing scares the current thieves/owners than the disillusionment of the masses.
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
There is one thing I know for sure and that is racism and white superiority/supremacy are signs of very little intelligence. Instead of seeing these massive civilizations (that were advanced in ways I believe Europe had little capacity for) and saying “Hey, these guys have a really good system here. I should learn whatever I can from them” they decided to murder, enslave, kill their identities, and eradicate their cultures.
I would have wanted to learn from them and I would have been honored by the opportunity. Anything less makes you a hater. I don’t believe Europeans could deal with the fact they weren’t the better society or more progressive civilization so they decided to erase them out of envy, ignorance, and hate.
5. If Empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it will take to truly unlearn it- and what might replace it.
I think when disillusionment removes the wool from your eyes it’s your responsibility to continue picking the scab, so to speak. You have to keep going no matter how uncomfortable, or angry, or heartbroken you might feel. You have to continue to work from that place of truth.
This is a good question and I gave it a lot of thought but I don’t believe we can ever truly replace the false story with the truth until colonialism is dismantled in this country where we not only set everyone free-indigenous and immigrant alike but we also set the land free from those that squeeze it of it’s resources.
Until then I believe the only way to continue to unlearn is to engage in an old tradition used by all indigenous of this earth- oral storytelling. They managed to connect generations through oral history for 1000s of years. If we tell the true story of America’s beginning and start to pass it on then we know that it will survive through those that will be here when we’re not.
Dr. StaceyPants, just sat here and took it all in... you pulled us through the mud for sure - got my skin itching like its been scrubbed with lye soap. "Hear" ya next week!
I am wordy, but if you like to look over responses for teaching reasons I offer my homework.
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
Columbus was a cartoonishly quaint Guido stereotype in tights who accidentally bumped into America, thereby discovering it. There were no moral stakes, just a happy accident that marked the birth of a nation (reference to the KKK propaganda film intended). He was a folk hero and a myth, like Johnny Appleseed or Uncle Sam, representing the pioneering spirit of America. We did coloring pages, we were quizzed on the names of his ships, we sang songs about his courage and vision.
As a result, my belief that white/European culture, religion, and technology was objectively superior to anything they colonized persisted for far too long. Even when I knew that belief was morally wrong, I didn't have any knowledge about the evidence that proves it factually wrong.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
Honestly, I'm hungry for more knowledge about those civilizations! I'm interested in history that centers them. In that sense the lecture is really persuasive.
The uncomfortable truth is we would have a much more detailed history, much more knowledge and multicultural wisdom, much healthier communities, if it weren't for the damn thing empire requires us to center: its creation story and divine right to enforce its idea of order via conquest and law.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
Good gracious, we wouldn't want the little white darlings to feel bad about being white! Think of the children! Ah no, not those children. Lighter. Lighter. That's it, think of white children!
^all too real in the state of Arizona and others with white nationalist decisionmakers in the education system
Another word for omission is erasure. Erasing a people's humanity, language, cosmology, sovereignty, accomplishments, and so on precludes supremacy and violent exploitation. Perpetuating the myth of virgin wilderness in the American west erases the people and the system of land stewardship they practiced (including how to deal with wildfires intelligently, a thing white settlers f'd up and now we here).
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
White superiority relies on a linear concept of progress: the stone age, the iron age, the bronze age, etc. Societies progress on a timeline that levels up according to technology. Even my beloved Star Trek perpetuates this framework, as pre-warp cultures are considered too primitive for contact with the benevolent Federation empire.
Disruption says, oh yeah? We developed a thing before you even realized a thing was worth developing. It says, actually, if xyz is the metric for a successful civilization, we did that fine without your help/before you did it/better than you.
But it isn't a petty "anything you can do, I can do better." It defeats superiority with its own logic, then throws out that logic and continues on to say, "look, what if instead of glorifying conquest, we do the smart thing instead?"
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
Anything. Anything might replace it. That's the danger and power of stories.
When I learn something new, I begin to encounter it everywhere. After drawing class, I encounter horizons everywhere. After sculpture class, I start seeing negative space. After piano, I start counting music in 6/8 for the first time in my life, even though I was trained in ballet to always count to 8 (with liberal use of "and-uh"s to fill in the missing beats).
It takes a willingness to learn from a teacher you trust to help you see different, count different. Geology taught me to see that the mountains are moving. How cool is that, to know stillness and movement are relative based on points of reference, and if you look differently at a glacier you see it as a river? I'm waxing poetic because the concrete facts of violence make me retreat into pretty abstractions. That's called avoidance, which signifies trauma. Trauma, then: you've got to feel it, got to believe it's telling the truth about where you've been, and you've got to heal it because if you don't it makes copies of itself even though no one wants that. That's epigenetics. Violence changes our bodies, and so does care. I imagine a culture, a community of care, a practice of civilized kindness. It takes constantly cracking code to rewrite it.
In all of 66 yrs on this earth it is a proven fact you can never stop learning. My whole outlook has changed. I was aware mind you. But not to the extent that I was today through Dr. Patton. I ‘m very grateful to be able to hear and witness what real truth is and the understanding of the trauma our people still experience today. Thank you Dr. Patton.
This history lesson reinforces the position that today’s Trump supporters are not suffering from a mental illness and deserve our compassion. They are the continuation of a long-standing colonizer world view that sees domination as a birthright.
Thank you for sharing this work and knowledge with us, Dr. Patton.
All I can say is that I thought I knew some stuff. This is an Honors course!! I am suing NYC Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools for wasting my time in history classes.🤣🤣. Thanks Dr. P.
Thank you for this. I know, not too many of the people who need this course will take it, however this is a huge act of service to the rest of us. I was gifted with a copy of Lies My Teacher Told me many years ago by an uncle who saw my penchant for falling down rabbit holes of truth. This is the second biggest history gift I have ever received. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Minimizing Pre-Columbian and African societies is about control and protecting a Eurocentric fragility. Wealthy land owning Europeans could not afford to have the commoner of Europe realize that thriving civilizations outside of Europe existed. It would call into question the the security of European power. Narratives of naked and ignorant savages reassured the lowest of Europeans that they too could occupy a place of superiority despite being powerless themselves. I wish this class was in person. I would be one the "oooh, oooh rasing my hand type of student" to give an answer.
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
I was taught that Columbus "discovered" America - I learned nothing about the genocide and erasure of well developed and populated civilizations. I learned nothing about the Inca, Maya, Aztec and Mali Empires. This shaped my understanding of world history, as America being exceptional and more impactful than any other history or country. This translates to my centering myself in all situations, being performative rather than authentic, and steals whatever gifts I have to offer in service to others and myself.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
It helps me to understand how limited my knowledge of world history is, and how wildly important this "editing" of world history is. It robs me of knowing the oppression and cruelty in my European ancestry - as a way of life. It explains how the creation of a "pretend" identity of "myself" in order to survive the ongoing cruelty eventually took me down - and now I am here to learn more.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
It reframes intentional cruelty, oppression, violence, ignorance, murder, genocide, erasure, disease - as exceptionally good for others - as well as centering Whiteness. It gives permission to treat others with the "wrong" skin tone (etc.) with murderous intent and ultimate exclusion.
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
It excoriates it. I am about angry this. I don't want children to learn this terrible, terrible lie(s).
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
I wrote this a few days ago: The nation is in collapse. The history of the genocide and erasure of tribal peoples; the enslavement of Africans, the caste economy – the overriding White Supremacy in our country – has come to tell us that we were never free. And we do not like it. We whites. We are not decolonized. We have not shed the skins and layers upon layers of white supremacy.
Hi love. Thank you for taking the time to listen to this lecture. I so appreciate the way you grappled with these questions and share such thoughtful reflections.
I’m a history buff-took a lot of classes on black history- but still find myself appalled at the atrocities inflicted by these “civilized societies “. Thanks for the opportunity to learn and grow all while supporting HBCUs; looking forward to your next lecture!
I just finished listening & I am so here for this. I knew Columbus was a slave trader but I didn't know the particulars shared in this lesson. I get sooooooo tired of his defenders claiming "he just sailed here so don't blame him for everything that came after".
I am very grateful for this gift. I am currently experiencing a range of emotions and have several questions on my mind. I intend to listen again and take notes. For instance, I am frustrated with the shortcomings of our education systems. I can certainly understand the motivations behind attempts to suppress this information. Thank you, Dr. P. You are a truly remarkable individual for sharing this knowledge. You are, in essence, our Griot of this era.
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
It shaped that is was a history of devaluation. That people who were not white were not valuable, and that white people injected value into black and brown diasporas through their whiteness. It essentially, completely devalued anything not white.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
It challenges what elements form a civilization. It changes the standard of what is and what is not civilized.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
To devalue them in order to exploit them. To make it morally acceptable to perpetrate violence against them for profit.
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
By valuing them; therefore, disrupting the lies that are told about whiteness.
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
It would take truth. Replacing it with the truth. Replacing the narratives with the truth, period.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Unlearning the lie, man this is going to give me a migraine, next week Tylenol first! Thank you the truth can be painful, but it’s a welcoming experience.
This is 🔥🔥🔥 Dr. P! You are giving us a solid framework to deconstruct and unlearn what we have been taught. I am already fuming over how our curriculum was literally whitewashed (this was 40-50 years ago for me). I’m already looking forward to the next lecture!
thank you. I was born on Oct 12… Columbus Day. Dubious now but it was my claim to fame growing up. I learned a bit of truth in high school, but you put the spot light on it. I certainly didn’t realize the extent of the genocide. Entitled Christians going around doing good deeds. Fuuucck
Here are discussion questions for Lecture 1:
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
Further Readings
Chapter: Pre‑Columbian Empires to Colonies (Maya, Inca, Aztec) – A solid overview of major civilizations before European contact. https://ephshdfavela.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/2/7/13272121/ch_12_jarrett_world_history.pdf
Pre‑Columbian Civilizations in Latin America (Robbins Library) – Explores the rise and sophistication of the Aztec, Maya, Inca, and more.
https://www.robbinslibrary.org/pre-colombian-indigenous-history-in-latin-america/
The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu (UnderstandingSlavery.com) – Highlights Africa’s rich traditions of scholarship and writing.
https://understandingslavery.com/casestudy/the-lost-libraries-of-timbuktu/
BBC: “Timbuktu Manuscripts: Mali’s Ancient Documents Captured Online” – Shows how these ancient texts are being preserved and made accessible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzBCl9kcdqc
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
Just a little back story: my dad was Native American. He was from the Menominee Nation. I understood even as a small child without anyone telling me that something happened to the Natives. I didn’t really know what that meant, nor did I have the language to articulate what I feeling. I kind of see it now as an inherited mistrust of history curriculums. That sounds silly but I think the ancestors try to protect us through inherited wisdom.
Anyways, I was in elementary school and I was probably in the 2nd or 3rd grade and Columbus comes up and I become inamored by the Natives. The problem was the natives were only featured on the first couple of pages and that did not sit well with me. I asked the teacher where the rest of the story went, told her my dad was Native, and that I wanted to learn more about the Natives. She was visibly uncomfortable and she explained it all away and moved on. I could smell the deceit and I was kid. I took everything in history class with a grain of salt and regurgitated what they wanted me to know. It wasn’t until my brother gave me James W. Loewen’s book “Lies My Teacher Told Me” when I was in the 6th grade that I could hear the story for the first time.
That book changed my life and made me every history teachers least favorite student. I was really lucky that I catch on quick because I’ve been learning more about the many atrocities the government enacted against the Natives. I’ve made it my mission since I was in the 6th grade. It’s my resistance.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does that challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
The loss of the these empires was a loss to the world. The intellect, irrigation systems, the educational systems, basic city maintenance, basic hygiene, and natural rhythm of these cities alone was something the Europeans couldn’t imitate on their best day. They only brought what they knew- death, destruction, and decay.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does this omission serve?
They were excluded because if people knew how advanced these cities were and how Europe forced itself upon them it would humanize these societies in same way that words like nomadic and savaged dehumanize them. This would paint the original land thieves in a less forgiving light. Nothing scares the current thieves/owners than the disillusionment of the masses.
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
There is one thing I know for sure and that is racism and white superiority/supremacy are signs of very little intelligence. Instead of seeing these massive civilizations (that were advanced in ways I believe Europe had little capacity for) and saying “Hey, these guys have a really good system here. I should learn whatever I can from them” they decided to murder, enslave, kill their identities, and eradicate their cultures.
I would have wanted to learn from them and I would have been honored by the opportunity. Anything less makes you a hater. I don’t believe Europeans could deal with the fact they weren’t the better society or more progressive civilization so they decided to erase them out of envy, ignorance, and hate.
5. If Empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it will take to truly unlearn it- and what might replace it.
I think when disillusionment removes the wool from your eyes it’s your responsibility to continue picking the scab, so to speak. You have to keep going no matter how uncomfortable, or angry, or heartbroken you might feel. You have to continue to work from that place of truth.
This is a good question and I gave it a lot of thought but I don’t believe we can ever truly replace the false story with the truth until colonialism is dismantled in this country where we not only set everyone free-indigenous and immigrant alike but we also set the land free from those that squeeze it of it’s resources.
Until then I believe the only way to continue to unlearn is to engage in an old tradition used by all indigenous of this earth- oral storytelling. They managed to connect generations through oral history for 1000s of years. If we tell the true story of America’s beginning and start to pass it on then we know that it will survive through those that will be here when we’re not.
Dr. StaceyPants, just sat here and took it all in... you pulled us through the mud for sure - got my skin itching like its been scrubbed with lye soap. "Hear" ya next week!
I am wordy, but if you like to look over responses for teaching reasons I offer my homework.
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
Columbus was a cartoonishly quaint Guido stereotype in tights who accidentally bumped into America, thereby discovering it. There were no moral stakes, just a happy accident that marked the birth of a nation (reference to the KKK propaganda film intended). He was a folk hero and a myth, like Johnny Appleseed or Uncle Sam, representing the pioneering spirit of America. We did coloring pages, we were quizzed on the names of his ships, we sang songs about his courage and vision.
As a result, my belief that white/European culture, religion, and technology was objectively superior to anything they colonized persisted for far too long. Even when I knew that belief was morally wrong, I didn't have any knowledge about the evidence that proves it factually wrong.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
Honestly, I'm hungry for more knowledge about those civilizations! I'm interested in history that centers them. In that sense the lecture is really persuasive.
The uncomfortable truth is we would have a much more detailed history, much more knowledge and multicultural wisdom, much healthier communities, if it weren't for the damn thing empire requires us to center: its creation story and divine right to enforce its idea of order via conquest and law.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
Good gracious, we wouldn't want the little white darlings to feel bad about being white! Think of the children! Ah no, not those children. Lighter. Lighter. That's it, think of white children!
^all too real in the state of Arizona and others with white nationalist decisionmakers in the education system
Another word for omission is erasure. Erasing a people's humanity, language, cosmology, sovereignty, accomplishments, and so on precludes supremacy and violent exploitation. Perpetuating the myth of virgin wilderness in the American west erases the people and the system of land stewardship they practiced (including how to deal with wildfires intelligently, a thing white settlers f'd up and now we here).
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
White superiority relies on a linear concept of progress: the stone age, the iron age, the bronze age, etc. Societies progress on a timeline that levels up according to technology. Even my beloved Star Trek perpetuates this framework, as pre-warp cultures are considered too primitive for contact with the benevolent Federation empire.
Disruption says, oh yeah? We developed a thing before you even realized a thing was worth developing. It says, actually, if xyz is the metric for a successful civilization, we did that fine without your help/before you did it/better than you.
But it isn't a petty "anything you can do, I can do better." It defeats superiority with its own logic, then throws out that logic and continues on to say, "look, what if instead of glorifying conquest, we do the smart thing instead?"
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
Anything. Anything might replace it. That's the danger and power of stories.
When I learn something new, I begin to encounter it everywhere. After drawing class, I encounter horizons everywhere. After sculpture class, I start seeing negative space. After piano, I start counting music in 6/8 for the first time in my life, even though I was trained in ballet to always count to 8 (with liberal use of "and-uh"s to fill in the missing beats).
It takes a willingness to learn from a teacher you trust to help you see different, count different. Geology taught me to see that the mountains are moving. How cool is that, to know stillness and movement are relative based on points of reference, and if you look differently at a glacier you see it as a river? I'm waxing poetic because the concrete facts of violence make me retreat into pretty abstractions. That's called avoidance, which signifies trauma. Trauma, then: you've got to feel it, got to believe it's telling the truth about where you've been, and you've got to heal it because if you don't it makes copies of itself even though no one wants that. That's epigenetics. Violence changes our bodies, and so does care. I imagine a culture, a community of care, a practice of civilized kindness. It takes constantly cracking code to rewrite it.
In all of 66 yrs on this earth it is a proven fact you can never stop learning. My whole outlook has changed. I was aware mind you. But not to the extent that I was today through Dr. Patton. I ‘m very grateful to be able to hear and witness what real truth is and the understanding of the trauma our people still experience today. Thank you Dr. Patton.
This history lesson reinforces the position that today’s Trump supporters are not suffering from a mental illness and deserve our compassion. They are the continuation of a long-standing colonizer world view that sees domination as a birthright.
Thank you for sharing this work and knowledge with us, Dr. Patton.
All I can say is that I thought I knew some stuff. This is an Honors course!! I am suing NYC Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools for wasting my time in history classes.🤣🤣. Thanks Dr. P.
Thank you for this. I know, not too many of the people who need this course will take it, however this is a huge act of service to the rest of us. I was gifted with a copy of Lies My Teacher Told me many years ago by an uncle who saw my penchant for falling down rabbit holes of truth. This is the second biggest history gift I have ever received. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Minimizing Pre-Columbian and African societies is about control and protecting a Eurocentric fragility. Wealthy land owning Europeans could not afford to have the commoner of Europe realize that thriving civilizations outside of Europe existed. It would call into question the the security of European power. Narratives of naked and ignorant savages reassured the lowest of Europeans that they too could occupy a place of superiority despite being powerless themselves. I wish this class was in person. I would be one the "oooh, oooh rasing my hand type of student" to give an answer.
I listened, I felt anger and disgust. Now I’m going to just sit and process it all. I’m looking forward to learning the TRUTH. Thank you so much!!
Thank you for this feedback. You are ALIVE!!! Learning is shifting in oftentimes discomforting ways. Stay on the journey, love.
Here are discussion questions for Lecture 1:
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
I was taught that Columbus "discovered" America - I learned nothing about the genocide and erasure of well developed and populated civilizations. I learned nothing about the Inca, Maya, Aztec and Mali Empires. This shaped my understanding of world history, as America being exceptional and more impactful than any other history or country. This translates to my centering myself in all situations, being performative rather than authentic, and steals whatever gifts I have to offer in service to others and myself.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
It helps me to understand how limited my knowledge of world history is, and how wildly important this "editing" of world history is. It robs me of knowing the oppression and cruelty in my European ancestry - as a way of life. It explains how the creation of a "pretend" identity of "myself" in order to survive the ongoing cruelty eventually took me down - and now I am here to learn more.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
It reframes intentional cruelty, oppression, violence, ignorance, murder, genocide, erasure, disease - as exceptionally good for others - as well as centering Whiteness. It gives permission to treat others with the "wrong" skin tone (etc.) with murderous intent and ultimate exclusion.
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
It excoriates it. I am about angry this. I don't want children to learn this terrible, terrible lie(s).
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
I wrote this a few days ago: The nation is in collapse. The history of the genocide and erasure of tribal peoples; the enslavement of Africans, the caste economy – the overriding White Supremacy in our country – has come to tell us that we were never free. And we do not like it. We whites. We are not decolonized. We have not shed the skins and layers upon layers of white supremacy.
Hi love. Thank you for taking the time to listen to this lecture. I so appreciate the way you grappled with these questions and share such thoughtful reflections.
I’m a history buff-took a lot of classes on black history- but still find myself appalled at the atrocities inflicted by these “civilized societies “. Thanks for the opportunity to learn and grow all while supporting HBCUs; looking forward to your next lecture!
I just finished listening & I am so here for this. I knew Columbus was a slave trader but I didn't know the particulars shared in this lesson. I get sooooooo tired of his defenders claiming "he just sailed here so don't blame him for everything that came after".
I am very grateful for this gift. I am currently experiencing a range of emotions and have several questions on my mind. I intend to listen again and take notes. For instance, I am frustrated with the shortcomings of our education systems. I can certainly understand the motivations behind attempts to suppress this information. Thank you, Dr. P. You are a truly remarkable individual for sharing this knowledge. You are, in essence, our Griot of this era.
1. What stories were you taught about Columbus and “discovery” growing up? How did they shape your understanding of world history?
It shaped that is was a history of devaluation. That people who were not white were not valuable, and that white people injected value into black and brown diasporas through their whiteness. It essentially, completely devalued anything not white.
2. After learning about civilizations like the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and Mali Empire, how does this challenge the myth that Europe brought “civilization” to the world?
It challenges what elements form a civilization. It changes the standard of what is and what is not civilized.
3. Why do you think these pre-Columbian and African societies were excluded or minimized in mainstream education? What purpose does that omission serve?
To devalue them in order to exploit them. To make it morally acceptable to perpetrate violence against them for profit.
4. How does acknowledging the richness and complexity of these civilizations disrupt the narrative of white superiority?
By valuing them; therefore, disrupting the lies that are told about whiteness.
5. If empire is a story we’ve all been taught, what do you think it takes to truly unlearn it—and what might replace it?
It would take truth. Replacing it with the truth. Replacing the narratives with the truth, period.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Unlearning the lie, man this is going to give me a migraine, next week Tylenol first! Thank you the truth can be painful, but it’s a welcoming experience.
Just finished listening to lesson one. Thank you.
This is 🔥🔥🔥 Dr. P! You are giving us a solid framework to deconstruct and unlearn what we have been taught. I am already fuming over how our curriculum was literally whitewashed (this was 40-50 years ago for me). I’m already looking forward to the next lecture!
thank you. I was born on Oct 12… Columbus Day. Dubious now but it was my claim to fame growing up. I learned a bit of truth in high school, but you put the spot light on it. I certainly didn’t realize the extent of the genocide. Entitled Christians going around doing good deeds. Fuuucck