I recently had the opportunity to review the "Priorities for Civics and Government in Florida’s K-12 Schools" just published by the state of Florida.
I was pleased to see that the first item they mentioned for teachers to focus on is "Students study primary source documents to understand the philosophical underpinnings of the American Republic and the root foundation of American exceptionalism."
"American exceptionalism" may be defined in different ways by different people but the term "primary source documents" is crystal clear. When learning anything new there are basically two sources of information and they are called primary and secondary."Primary source" is defined as first person information such as reading or seeing or hearing what the person experienced as the event(s) happened.This could be a journal, a diary, a letter, an audio tape of the person describing the event, a video of the person explaining the event that he/she experienced.This is the best source of information for it is being related by the person who experienced it.
Everything else is called "secondary information" because it is explained by people who were not there or did not have the experience.Sometimes this is called "second hand information" and is considered less "reliable" than primary source information.Secondary information can include an analysis of the event, conjecture and insight into what happened, criticism or support for what happened and why or a video or movie based on "the events", a song or literary piece of writing based on the event or events, a "summary" of the event presented by someone who "knew of the event". Sources can include mass media, family and friends, religious leaders, political leaders, economic leaders, etc. The one thing all these sources have in common is that are stated by people who did not experience the event.
In the last several years citizens in the U.S. have been able to watch and witness a number of important gatherings of the federal legislative bodies. I myself have watched two U.S. Supreme Court vacancies filled, plus two impeachment hearings of a sitting President and, most recently, hearings about the events that happened in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2022. We are living in one of the most amazing democracies in the world where as citizens we can actually see how our governmental leaders make important decisions in an "open to the public" manner. In most countries of the world this is not allowed to happen for concern about the reaction of the citizens.
If you have not had a chance to watch any of these final Congressional hearings at least one more is scheduled for this month. I know some of you have been making use of this access and some of you have not. For some, that is because these telecast usually occur during the work day. If that scheduling continues you can set your video recorder and view it later. Others can watch and listen to the telecast as it is broadcast live. I would like to ask that you consider taking your position as an active and informed citizen and make some time for these telecasts.Decide for yourself after watching and hearing the witnesses (who are all under oath) where the "truth" is. As you watch and listen to their testimony look in their eyes, watch their "body language", listen to their words as they recount their experiences. Try not to give too much credence to the "secondary source" people who will try to shape your opinions to match their own. Use that gift that we have all been given known as "free will" to draw your own conclusions.
If you need additional "motivation" there is a wonderful passage in Corinthians Chapter 6 verses 5-8...the rest you will recognize...
Don Howarth