Problem
Statement
Hinduism and Indian history is inaccurate or biased as presented
in U.S. school and college textbooks. Origins
of this Problem
Literature was commissioned by the British during the colonial
period (1757-1947), which introduced false theories and biased
and derogatory views about Hinduism and Indian culture. During
this period important historical dates and events of India’s
past were altered. Today, inaccuracies in literature on India
are widespread and are being used as authoritative references
by textbook authors and encyclopedia editors.
As a result, misinformation in textbooks used in U.S. classrooms
and available in libraries is widespread and so are the inaccuracies
in the source materials that are being used by western media
in reports about India.
Addressing
This Problem
We have the responsibility to do something about this situation.
Now is the time for the Hindus living in America to unite and
make a sustained effort to have our unparalleled culture, unbroken
history and spiritual legacy correctly portrayed in the textbooks
so that our children will feel proud, not ashamed to say, “I
am a Hindu.”
All other minority groups have organized themselves and effectively
lobbied school administrators and textbook publishers to be
represented correctly in the textbooks. We can do the same.
Moreover,
the younger generation deserves to be taught correctly about
their homeland, so they can be proud of their Indian heritage
and not embarrassingly wish they were just “normal”
American kids.
The process
begins with correcting the textbooks. |
