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April 5, 2007
Britain Down the Tubes
Speaking of Becky, I see that she posted on her blog an article about the British actively discouraging the study of Greek and Latin in schools. Earlier this year it came out that British schools are also not really teaching about the Crusades, or the Holocaust (because they don't want to offend their Muslim students, you know). And of course, last year we learned that they're also not going to teach British cultural heritage.
Doesn't it make you want to cry?
I suppose it was inevitable. Once you take away a sense of cultural identity and key events in your history, you have to squelch any study of classical languages and literatures. Latin and Greek teach you to think logically, and the study of classical texts teaches you the signposts that tell you when your culture is on the road to hell. The study of the classics can also bring up disturbing ideas about "right" and "wrong," which they seem to want to avoid as well.
What was that bit about those who cannot remember history ... ?
I love England. I've always dreamed of living there. Now, though, between stupid educational reforms and stupid laws restricting self defense, it would be more of a nightmare.
Posted by lynx at April 5, 2007 4:22 PM
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Comments
Wow! I blogged about some of this and so did Judy Aron, but neither of us made the connection between classics, language and the ability to discern what is happening.
I love English history and culture (except for their cooking) and it is so sad to see this happening!
Posted by: Elisheva Levin at April 5, 2007 7:04 PM