James W. Loewen, Who Challenged How History Is Taught, Dies at 79

I'm not sure, but probably at some point did, if I read Lies My Teacher Told Me. Looking, it is supposed to be at my local library, so will check it out. OTOH, Biggie Trismegistus in this thread rather devastatingly refutes fact after fact in a chapter on Columbus. It just might be that he stretched things too far there, going beyond the area he is particularly a scholar on.

He also had other books, including a long one on "sundown towns" (towns where blacks and others should leave by sundown). His last was a book on his life long love of canoeing, mixing in some thoughts on other matters.

The referenced thread is to a post by Prof. Erik Loomis, who reported his death.  Loomis is particularly concerned about racism (though it isn't his specialty, which is labor and environmental issues; racism, of course, touches all) and compared him to Howard Zinn.  Zinn is a somewhat questionable character.  I read his history of the U.S. and some essays.

It is basically an overcorrection that rams down a socialist view of things.  It's fine to have a point of view, but I personally think the whole thing is too one-sided.  Loomis at one point basically granted his work is flawed, if at the time a helpful re-calibration of a biased study of history.  But, you need more than that.

The NYT obit noted:

Dr. Loewen was a relentless contrarian who challenged anyone who imagined academic life as a passage through genteel lectures on settled matters for drowsy students on leafy campuses. He charged through history like a warrior, dismantling fictions and exposing towns for excluding minorities; teachers and historians for dumbing lessons down; and defendants in 50 class-action lawsuits who, according to his expert testimony, victimized people in civil rights, voting rights and job discrimination cases.

I sometimes feel like (and now and then do) voicing my belief that people, especially those who supposedly know better, should stop promoting ignorance. Basic rule. Try to promote knowledge. But, at the very least, don't cause people to be more dumb. In that respect alone, he should be honored. His new 1970s account of Mississippi history probably would be called critical race theory today. Down to the need to sue to get it used.

The class action lawsuit bit, however, is particular interesting. It adds to his overall life's work.  I having had a sideline writing history summaries and blogs at that last link.  History is not only an interest, it is actually what I have a B.A. in back in the day.  So, his life's work is of interest, especially when he (again, would like to know more) got involved in litigation like that.  

RIP, James, and perhaps one day Erik Loomis will do your grave -- that grave series he has is amazing.  Over 900 and he visited each one, I gather (he includes personal pictures of the grave).