Not sure if this has been noticed or discussed, but a recent piece of junk mail caught my attention.
Enveloped in red - and screaming "Mistory", the ad promised to tell me what I didn't learn in school. On the flipside, were the following statements:
Mistory #1 - Only one person caused Lincoln's death. Not true!
Mistory#2 - George Washington was a beloved leader, revered by all his officers. Wrong!
Mistory#3 - There's never been anything quite like the O.J. Trial. Surprise!
Mistory#4 - All Southern slave owners were white. Not quite!
Being someone who enjoys history and the contradictions that often exist in our American history and legends, I was hooked into opening the junk in question.
A magazine was being pitched - and it was called "American Heritage".
After paging through the sales pitch, I got the feeling that the topics smelled a little too consistent in their vein. There was a odd moral bend to the beast and I it waned to the right of center. Stories about the roots of Industrialism in America. Questions about the assassination of the great Republican statesman, Abraham Lincoln. The magazine promised to tell stories from the perspective of someone living at the time the history took place.
So, instead of actually telling the history, it would be "through the eyes" of someone actually living it. Is that real history? Maybe to some. The notion of retelling history affords the idea of creative interpretation - something that legit historians (if that is what they are) should avoid.
What sealed the deal was this. A bit of promotional material with the blessings of the following individuals:
"Reminds us of our glorious tradition."
David Rockefeller / Former Chairman, Chase Manhattan Bank
"I look forward to every issue."
Tom Brokaw - TV Newscaster
"I am delighted to recommend AMERICAN HERITAGE to anyone looking for an enjoyable reading and learning experience."
George Bush - Former President of the United States
"An excellent magazine."
Lee A. Iacocca - Former Chairman and CEO/Crysler Corporation
Corporate heads, an NBC (GE) media spokesman and George Bush. Smells like the Right to me!
Upon investigation of their website, http://www.americanheritage.com/ , I found my fears revealed. The current issue promises a story about a modern day adventurer (where's the historical perspective?) that discovers the headwaters of the Missouri are the same as when Lewis and Clark visited - a refrain that romanticizes American history - while at the same time enforcing a notion that industry hasn't ravaged the environment. At the end of the document, were a half a dozen links. Were they to related historical stories or information? No, they were links to "Travel Montana" and a host of other travel business's that promised to sell you the experience that you just read about.
So this is what passes for history? Sounds more like a travel guide for Republicans. No wonder the publisher is Forbes, Inc.
There are also two other magazines that are featured links off the American Heritage website. American Legacy (an African-American history mag) and Invention and Technology (industrialism revisited). Both of these publications smell of the same stink. In American Legacy ( http://www.americanheritage.com/amlegacy/index.html), the focus is on embracing a history that seeks to promote conservative values - and praises the contributions of Hollywood stereotypes like Hattie McDaniel ("The Woman Who Was Mammy"). It also openly admits that it has a special section that is sponsored by General Electric - the same company that employs Tom Brokaw through NBC (he of the glowing endorsement for American Heritage). Also featured on their home page is an oddly naked link to Walmart's website.
Coincidence?
Without going any further, I am fully aware that mainstream media is largely a tool of larger corporate and political interests. The liberal media is an oxymoron. My reason for identifying these magazines, is the covert method they use to reshape historical thought. Instead of openly endorsing a politically conservative and corporate friendly agenda, it is hidden in plain sight. These magazines are modeled to reshape (or reinforce) the historical views of its reader - under the guise of legitimate history.
Buyer beware.
(Originally published on Portland Indymedia)
