Wats the problem?

[Euroholic]

Point taken, but you're not contradicting anything I posted above. History is FACTS of the past. We agree on that. What you're arguing is how people PERCEIVE history in the past as opposed to now. Here are the facts (based on your original post since I've already stated that I don't know much about Australian history): Europeans came to the land of Australia, found indigenous occupants there, and took the land as their own by any means necessary even if it meant they had to exterminate a number of the indigenous occupants. I believe we can both agree on this, as they are facts.

The only thing you're arguing is how you classify the 'occupants' (and, yes, notice that I said 'occupants' instead of people since your argument is that people back then did not see them as people. This does not change the FACTS of what happened. I don't need to look at history through anyone's eyes but my own to know facts. Would you still have an argument of how your nephew was being taught in class if the textbook used the term 'occupants' rather than 'humans' or 'people'? These are just perceptions; the facts remain the same.

I agree with your top part mate. Now by changing the teachings the kids are starting to think that what we did was wrong and we need to be all apologetic and regretful etc etc. Because they are learning about europeans killing other humans and land grabbing etc. Which sounds brutal when you humanise the occupants of the time. thats why you need to look at it in the perspective of the time. They were not humans in those days that is historical fact. They have only recently been granted human status. That is another historical fact. You cant keep moving the goalposts to suit a agenda. You are correct mate History is facts of the past and the facts are that fauna can not own land not in 2016 not in 1800. The tribes of the day were primitive nomadic hunter gathers they were not a unified soveign state. But they dont teach that either anymore. They use words like "traditional lifestyle" its frustrates me that people feel remorse for actions of the past. Actions that were legal. You cant change the facts so Embrace them. I was at my community hall a few weeks ago stating this very topic. The older people understand but the younger ones they use words like "reconciliation" and feel shame for the past. Which is not how it should be. Shame for what? Something that happened before you were born and was out of your control?

[musclestack]

I agree with your top part mate. Now by changing the teachings the kids are starting to think that what we did was wrong and we need to be all apologetic and regretful etc etc. Because they are learning about europeans killing other humans and land grabbing etc. Which sounds brutal when you humanise the occupants of the time. thats why you need to look at it in the perspective of the time. They were not humans in those days that is historical fact. They have only recently been granted human status. That is another historical fact. You cant keep moving the goalposts to suit a agenda. You are correct mate History is facts of the past and the facts are that fauna can not own land not in 2016 not in 1800. The tribes of the day were primitive nomadic hunter gathers they were not a unified soveign state. But they dont teach that either anymore. They use words like "traditional lifestyle" its frustrates me that people feel remorse for actions of the past. Actions that were legal. You cant change the facts so Embrace them. I was at my community hall a few weeks ago stating this very topic. The older people understand but the younger ones they use words like "reconciliation" and feel shame for the past. Which is not how it should be. Shame for what? Something that happened before you were born and was out of your control?

This is a waste of time. You. Are. Still. Arguing. PERCEPTION. If you can't see that, then I can't help you.

I'm not interested in anyone's agenda, i.e. how schools want the kids to feel (perceive) about what happened in the past. Just hit me with the facts (if you want examples of the FACTS, just look at MY posts above), and I will decide how I feel about it. The best thing you can teach a young student is how to think for themselves. The second best thing is teaching them that the world doesn't care about how they feel. If everyone learned this, there would be a lot less whining in the world.

Whether or not the Europeans of the past viewed the occupants as humans is irrelevant because it is an opinion (perception). This still doesn't change the facts. All the textbook needs to say is that Europeans came over to Australia and took land that was occupied by the indigenous inhabitants, violently when necessary. Leave it up to the individual to decide whether this is right or wrong.

I will agree with you that textbooks and the way history is taught has changed quite a bit, many times for the worse. If you want to play a valuable role in your nephew's education, teach him how to see through the bulls**t. Regardless of how the class is 'taught', the facts are still there. Teach him that it's up to him on how he perceives it. Funny enough, most adults need to be taught this also. I think you'll find that, in a way, you and I agree on certain things. It's just that you're missing the boat on some very simple elements. You're choosing one side of the coin over the other; I am not. What you want is your nephew's generation to be taught exactly how you were since you feel that it's the 'right' way. What I'm saying is that history should consist of facts and nothing else, leaving the individual to decide how he/she feels about it. Perception does not belong in a history class since, as even you agree, history is FACTS of the past.