The irony of Republicans trying to restrict the teaching of history when they’re ignorant of it in the first place is lost on Republicans themselves, so they don’t recognize when they should be humiliated. Consider the case of the newly elected Virginia state delegate — Republican, of course — who authored a bill banning “divisive concepts” from being taught in the public schools.
The bill helpfully listed some subjects that could be taught instead. Among them: the Constitution and other founding documents, along with “the first debate between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.”
Granted, 1858 was a long time ago, and I have no idea what they teach kids about the lead-up to the Civil War these days, especially in Southern states like Virginia. Once upon a time I would have assumed someone on a state lawmaker’s staff would catch such an error before it saw official publication, but the level of incompetence seen in public life these last few years has cured me of such great expectations.
Still, through my snickering I realized that there are probably millions of Americans who have no idea Lincoln debated anybody named Douglas (or Douglass), whether Steven A. or Frederick. So I was a little surprised when my son, who has never been interested in history, quickly said, “He meant Steven A.”
I wanted to know how he remembered that snippet of history. He directed me to this song, part of Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 LP “Illinois” of songs inspired by the state. Perhaps inspired by a need for words that rhyme with Decatur, Stevens wrote,
Stephen A. Douglas was a great debater
But Abraham Lincoln was the great emancipator
So not only did nobody in Del. Wren Williams’ office pay enough attention in history class, they didn’t listen to Sufjan Stevens’ critically acclaimed album, either.
