Return of the Lost Cause: Historical Roots of the Current Anti-Civil Rights Campaigns

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that the roots of at least some elements of the current anti-civil rights campaign may be found in earlier historical movements, in particular the Lost Cause narrative. We compared two current African American studies curricula with themes regarding race and slavery propagated by Lost Cause adherents. Findings revealed some overlap for one of those curricula (Florida's Standards on African and African American History Grades 6–12), as well as a general failure of that curriculum to challenge the most egregious claims of the Lost Cause mythology. The discussion explores the implications of legislated silence about historical racism.

Keywords

lost cause anti-civil rights campaigns African American history curricula

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