The fight over history in American schools is getting more intense. In 2025, more states are banning books, rewriting curriculum, and arguing over what stories about America should be told.
What Are the "History Wars"?
The term "history wars" means political fights about what we teach in schools—especially about race, slavery, and civil rights. Some people want to focus only on patriotism. Others want schools to tell the full truth, even the uncomfortable parts.
This isn't just about textbooks. It's about whose stories get told and whose voices get heard.
What's Happening in 2025?
New laws are banning topics like Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project. These laws are active in states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. President Trump even signed an order to make federal museums show more "positive" stories about America.
The result? Teachers are afraid to discuss slavery, segregation, and civil rights movements. Some are leaving the profession entirely rather than compromise their educational integrity.
Meanwhile, students are caught in the middle, receiving an incomplete picture of their nation's complex history.
Why It Matters to You
When schools cut out big parts of history, students lose important knowledge. Understanding slavery, segregation, and protests helps us learn from the past. That's why many teachers and students are speaking out.
History isn't just about memorizing dates and names. It's about understanding how we got to where we are today. When we sanitize the past, we lose the opportunity to learn from both our triumphs and our mistakes.
The figures we celebrate on Greatness Echo—from Frederick Douglass to Harriet Tubman to Malcolm X—all fought against systems that tried to silence their stories. Their legacies remind us why complete, honest historical education matters.
What You Can Do
- Ask what's in your child's school books - Get involved in understanding what curriculum is being taught
- Share real stories on your blog or social media - Help amplify the voices that might be getting silenced
- Support teachers and students speaking up - Many educators are fighting to maintain educational integrity
- Read diverse historical sources - Seek out multiple perspectives on historical events
- Attend school board meetings - Your voice matters in local educational decisions
The battle over how we teach history is ultimately a battle over how we understand ourselves as a nation. The stories we choose to tell—and the ones we choose to silence—shape the minds of future generations.
As we've learned from the great figures throughout history, progress often requires uncomfortable conversations and the courage to face difficult truths. The question is: will we have that courage in 2025 and beyond?