Politicians, school boards, and educational professionals across America hotly debate what should be taught about American history and race. This session tears down the veil of historical amnesia and mythology that shrouds the teaching of American history. We need urgent transformation to include three additional historical truths.

In this session, the presenters will engage in a conversation with participants about what they were taught (or not taught) about American history and how that shapes their experience and understanding of today’s race-based controversies. The presenters are elders (one African American and one White American) who will share their own journey to understand race in America. The presenters will explore and discuss three big areas of hidden history that help explain racial issues in the US today. These are well-documented areas of history that are typically omitted from the American creation story taught in our classrooms. The result is a confused and inadequate basis for understanding current events or achieving racial justice. 
 Participants will consider the reasons behind the historical amnesia and mythology embedded in standard American history, how it functions in mainstream American society, and whom it advantages or disadvantages. Participants will be invited to apply this hidden history to the settings or issues that most interest them – e.g., education, immigration, criminal justice, government, civil rights, White nationalism, business, the workplace, family, or local community. Participants will consider how this hidden history can be used to open and facilitate discussion or to work for reform in their own spheres of influence. Finally, participants will be given tools and resources for further advancement of their understanding of American history, race, and education in America today.