We see that when we are children if we are only taught one interpretation or perspective on history, we often have distorted views of other cultures, forms of government, and economies. As Loewen (1995, p. 262) notes, when all interpretations are accounted for, ôEconomically, we are the bane, not the hope, of the world.ö Such one-sided or culturally-biased perceptions of history often tend to make us ethnocentric, where we feel only our culture or our cultureÆs values are worthwhile. This of

en serves to undermine the values and culture of other peoples, leading to prejudice, racism, discrimination and the formation of stereotypes.

Loewen, J. W. (1995). Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong. New York: The Free Press.

In our own lives, we can apply LoewenÆs criticism of American History and education by seeking out other sources of history. We can turn to history books written by those from other cultures whose interpretations