TIL that some languages apparently have words inherently differentiating one's status as a citizen or resident of the entity versus a member of a particular ethnic or cultural group? I don't quite grasp the whole thing, although I heard the point being made. What's interesting to me is a) that there is such a thing, which seems very revealing of something about a culture that would need such concepts built into the language, and b) that there seem to be people who think it's inaccurate to interpret the word choice as meaningful. Firstly, since languages have all sorts of concepts built into them, many very specific to their primary culture of use, it seems reasonable that such a thing could exist. Not that I would have thought of it before, since I'm not from a culture where that sort of subtlety functions. Secondly, if that is, indeed, the subtlety of the word choices, where one essentially and inherently includes people, and the other excludes, then I'd kind o...
Most US history isn’t really covered. Revolutionary War, something something 1812, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, WW II.
ReplyDeleteMost of the rest is skipped or just mentioned in passing. Little discussion on the Gilded Age, the labor strife that led to our current standards like the 40-hour work week, or any other messiness that gives the lie to American Exceptionalism (FUCK YEAH!). The Civil War is a perfect example, bloodless and anodyne lists of battles leading to Appomattox, Emancipation, and the Ford Theater.
Hell, I wonder how many HS graduates know who the Pinkertons were.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I got a lot more than that, so that's something. I just am frustrated when I realize how whitewashed what I learned was.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Houston and have never heard of this!
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