Tag Archives: Yale University

HISTORY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED, SCRUTINIZED

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#IndependenceDay #July4 #history #AmericanHistory #TeachingHistory #AmericanExceptionalism
“American Exceptionalism” was once celebrated.
Then, others came along and told us that America has done so many bad things throughout history, that it may not be such as exception.
Beverly Gage, a history professor at Yale University, has taken a road trip to historical sites in America, and believes that all history, good and bad, should be taught.
She highlights it in her book, “This Land is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History.” She talked about the book on “Fareed Zacharia GPS” on CNN May 10, 2026.
History is often viewed with a point of view. Some don’t want the bad parts of U.S. history to be taught in schools. But, to paraphrase an old adage, ALL history needs to be taught, or the bad things will be repeated.
Those who believe in “American Exceptionalism” want to downplay, or not teach at all, America’s history of slavery and other types of discrimination.
Though over the 250 years of the country’s existence the country has prospered, not everyone has shared in that prosperity, nor, have shared in it to greater or lesser degrees.
Those who believe in “American Exceptionalism” generally want to take the country back to a time when life was simpler. But, history IS the past and the present may or may not resemble it.
It might be fair to say that today’s America does not resemble America from 50, 60 or 70 years ago. As much as we may want to relive those eras, the progress the country has made over that time will never allow it.
But, those past decades can teach lessons. They can teach us what we SHOULD do now, and what we SHOULDN’T do now.
The actions in each category differ depending on the point of view.
We tend to think of history as a set of facts that we memorize in school. But, even children need to learn to discern the good and bad from history. They should learn to cherish and preserve the good, and not to repeat the bad.
One can appreciate and be grateful to his or her ancestors, but do not have to emulate some of their behaviors.
One can appreciate the hardships his or her ancestors endured, and be grateful he or she no longer has to endure them.
One can also see the behavior of current Americans, and make wise choices whether to emulate them.
As the country celebrates 250 years of existence, it’s good to embrace the good, but learn the bad so as not to embrace it.
Compared to the history of other countries, there is much to appreciate about America’s journey.
The next 250-year journey may be totally different from past journeys. Hopefully, then, Americans will then embrace the good about the past and learn about the bad so as not to embrace it.
So, this Independence Day, celebrate. Know that the road to get where we are was, at times, rocky and, at other times, a glide path.
Know that our individual experiences could be very different. But, all are worth celebrating.
Peter

PLAY MORE, WORRY LESS

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#PlayMore #WorryLess #fun
Laurie Santos greeted her Yale University students with slips of paper that said, “No class today.”
Though she was canceling class in the middle of the semester with exams and papers looming, she instructed her students NOT to use the 75 minutes studying. She told them that they had to enjoy their time.
“She was asking them to stop worrying about grades, even if only for an hour,” writes Susan Svrluga, in an article for The Washington Post. It was also published May 20, 2018, in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
As you might guess, Santos psychology class, titled “Psychology and the Good Life,” is the largest class, by far, in Yale’s 317-year history, Svrluga writes.
Before you start laughing, students, particularly those who go to top-notch universities, have pretty rugged schedules. They take courses. Some juggle those courses – homework, tests, papers etc. – around part-time jobs.
There are times when kids need to just kick back and do something fun or, at least, restful.
Perhaps some folks are, let’s just say, not sympathetic. Life isn’t like that. One has to have rigor to make life good, right?
Yet, that is an oxymoron.
The bigger lesson here might be creating balance in your life. If you work all the time, even make lots of money, but never take time to enjoy it, what good is it?
Certainly, for the students, their rigor is temporary. But what Santos is trying to teach them is, to quote the old adage, “all work and no play makes Johnny (or Janey) a dull boy (or girl).”
All too often, the “good life,” as we see it, involves trappings such as kids’ ball games, cooking dinner, mowing the lawn and, oh yes, having a job that might eat you alive.
We schedule ourselves, or over-schedule ourselves, if you prefer, down to every last minute. If you are going from the time you get up to the time you go to bed – perhaps incapable of finding down time – that, by and large, is not good.
The Santos class is teaching young kids who are, just from the school they are attending, likely to be high achievers to, using another cliché, “stop and smell the roses.”
We’ve previously talked about creating happiness. This class is showing kids that they MUST find time in their busy schedules to do that, however they wish.
If you find the idea for this class instructive, but are overly worried whether you are doing enough to keep your head above water, know that there are many vehicles out there to help you if you are either time-broke, or not financially where you’d like to be. To learn about one of the best, message me.
Meanwhile, don’t laugh at Santos’ class or the many students who are taking it. Life lessons are as important, or more so, than academic ones.
Sometimes, you have to say to yourself, “I need a break.” But, your life has become such that you have no clue how to take one.
Perhaps you should study what’s taught in Santos’ class. It might even change your life for the better.
Peter