When reading this chapter, I discovered much new knowledge that I had not encountered before. As such, the basis for this writing became discussing topics that I may have had a cursory knowledge of in more depth and in a new light. I tried to rethink and reanalyze the history contained therein through the new eyes I was granted by this new knowledge, and, overall, I think I did a pretty decent job of accomplishing that goal in this piece of writing. That statement also relates to why I chose this piece for reflection. I think that, in this analysis of Chapter 30 of the text, I bring the analytical acumen I learned from reading Loewen’s book into my own analysis of events. The Women liberation movement mentioned in this chapter is something that should be mentioned more in academic circles. The role that Patsy Mink played in the struggle for women to be heard is significantly underestimated. Among other things, Mink was the first Asian American woman elected to Congress and that she helped to pen the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which in Title IX prohibited discrimination in education on the basis of sex (Openstax 30.1). This is a lifetime achievement that should be mentioned more. As a champion of education, I believe that such women deserve more recognition and mention that they are currently accorded.
I discuss how my previous history courses have failed, yes, but I also discuss how my views on the history I discuss changed in light of this new information that I have learned. I think that idea is also central to what I learned in composing the piece. I gained an understanding in writing this response of the fact that, even if I have studied a topic multiple times, there is often new information that I will find in revisiting it. New information may not necessarily be completely new facts and data but also a new way of thinking. For example, while I have previously read about empowered women, I have not fully acknowledged how their efforts helped other people like I have done in reading chapter 30. This new light and revelation is a piece of information that I will carry for ever.
New perspectives influence a deeper understanding of events and the causal conditions that led to them. I also gained an understanding that, just because I disagree with a person’s actions, that doesn’t mean that I cannot learn from them—my analysis of Nixon is a prime example of this. Other roles played by the president at his time have affected how current presidents behave while in office. I now appreciate such information more.
