The Mount Vernon We Deserve

The Mount Vernon We Deserve

Jonathan Yardley's article "The Mount Vernon we deserve?" is written to show what has become important in the eyes of Americans and how Americans have lost touch with their history. The article covers how a public awareness campaign for history is focusing on state-of-the-art technology and not on the history itself. The article touched on how Americans want learning to be entertaining. Yardley hints about remembering the heroes of the past with 20th century technology is the only way to capture the attention of an American long enough for some of the information to actually be retained.

Yardley did a good job of pointing out some flaws in the way history is being remembered and taught. He showed his viewpoint in different ways, but he also used data to support his viewpoint. When he was addressing the different realities of what Americans expect and what they want, he appeared to be giving his own opinion on these facts. Yardley gave valid facts to support his opinions but again these appeared to be how he saw the problems. He also appeared to be very passionate about his views.

I have little knowledge on the subject matter in this article. I was very surprised to read that the new way of remembering the past is being done with high-tech entertainment. As I read the article I was more surprised to realize that I have become one of the people that has a short attention span for history. If I had my choice of the way I would like to learn about and remember history it would be in a new state-of-the-art education center. Then I have to think about my granddaughter. How would I want her to learn about our country's past? I would like her to learn about how our country came to be, the role slaves played in the past and how black's helped the growth of America. She cannot do this is a 15-minute sideshow. The one true item that I agreed with, "Gen Thee" and "Gen Me" has defaulted on our roles of responsibilities.

After reading this article, I am more aware of the campaign being conducted and for what reason. I was also made aware that history is now as important as it should be in America and that if we as Americans do not address some of Yardley's ideas, history will not be preserved.