Foreshadows of forefathers

• Main Author: Barnes, Jason Clinton
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Fine arts
• ISBN: 9780549666264; 0549666265

My current body of work explores a personal confusion created by the United States of America's educational system, particularly American history. Our country was built on the ideology of Manifest Destiny, the God given right to Exceptionalism and mission. Throughout American history, our forefathers have committed many injustices in the name of progress. Conveniently, most public school textbooks leave out these facts. Instead we are left with spotless icons that seemingly conquered all odds in search of the American Dream. Many American citizens understand that elitist ideologies like Manifest Destiny are alive and well in America today. These beliefs are prevalent in our politics, our foreign affairs, and in common everyday society often creating terrible backlashes upon humanity and nature. While most people feel that ideals of American Exceptionalism are wrong, few take action to dispel them. This complacency is the direct result of generation after generation being taught through childhood to accept elitist ideologies as rule. Thomas Paine once wrote, "A long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficial appearance of being RIGHT."