Lies My Teacher Told Me Ch 12

Loewen ch 12

Textbooks are supposed to be informative. They are the primary source of information for students. Yet, they neglect to teach us the true facts. Education systems have a way of unknowingly implanting images into adolescent minds. By this I mean that what is taught in school becomes part of our common sense, even if it is not logical.

Although it is off topic, when a Japanese student is told to describe ‘sakura,’ they would say that it is Japan’s national flower. Who decided that the cherry blossom was a symbolization of Japan? Where did this image start? How did so many students end up believing this? The answer is the schools in Japan. Starting with the songs and poems we learn in Elementary School, Japanese students are brainwashed into thinking that cherry blossoms represent Japan.

Textbooks have the same effect on students. They make students believe something, without them actually realizing it. What is taught in school is implanted into a student’s mind, unknowingly forming their opinions and perception. If schools continue to teach using textbooks written by patriotic writers, the students are bound to become proud of their nation and its past.