Guyer High School (and obviously several others) are complicit in attempting to condition students to interpret the 2nd Amendment in a clearly opposite manner in which it was intended. The 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th are also misinterpreted as several commenters below pointed out.
This textbook, currently being used by Guyer High School, is attempting to redefine the Second Amendment to impressionable young minds. Parents, you must speak up and demand action. Investigate your child's history book ASAP, and post more pictures in the comments below. Call your school and demand that revisionist history books like this are removed from the school district.
Textbook version: "The people have a right to keep and bear arms in a state militia."
Actual 2nd Amendment: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Did you catch the sleight of hand?
A militia is a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies. It's a common man army of citizens, NOT soldiers. The citizens are called up in emergencies to protect the free State.
The 2nd Amendment says that a militia is necessary to protect a free State, so in order to be able to have a militia, the citizens have a natural right to keep and bear arms and the government cannot infringe on that right.
The textbook version implies that we're only allowed to keep and bear arms if we're in a State militia, a clear misrepresentation of the 2nd Amendment.
Your Call to Action:
1. Call Guyer High School and tell the appropriate person something like the following:
"Hello, my name is _______________. I saw that your AP History course has issued a book titled, United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination. In this book, on page 102, the definition provided for the Second Amendment is incorrect and seems to be suggesting that only members of a State Militia are allowed to keep and bear arms. Who made the decision to use this text book? I'd like them to issue a public statement on this book's attempt to redefine the 2nd Amendment and why they chose to use it. We would also like this issue to be discussed at the next school board meeting. Please include it on the official agenda."
John H. Guyer High School
7501 Teasley Lane
Denton, TX 76210
P: 940-369-1000
7501 Teasley Lane
Denton, TX 76210
P: 940-369-1000
2. If you live in the area or if you child attends this school, organize with your neighbors and storm the next school board meeting to demand answers.
The Denton ISD Board of Trustees will be meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, in the Board Room at the Dennis Stephens Central Services Building. For more information please contact Kim Stevenson, administrative assistant to the superintedent, at (940) 369-0002.
3. Inspect your child's history book and photograph other instances of intentional misrepresentations. Post pictures and blog about these occurrences. Demand your school districts regain control of their curriculum.
4. Share this story with your friends, family, and media connections to raise awareness.
Just got off the phone with Kim Stevenson, Admin to the Superintendent.
1. Board members will not address any speaking on an item that is not part of the official agenda.
2. A community member could not add an item to the agenda.
3. You must sign in at Kim's desk in order to speak. You can speak up to 2 times and for 3 minutes. If a large number of us are attending we can assign a person to be our spokesperson and they may possibly give that person extra time.
The state adopts the textbooks every couple of years. She advised that besides attending next week's board meeting that we also speak with Darrell Muncy, Director of Student Services or speak with someone in the curriculum department.
"I had no idea that a pic I posted on FB would spread like wildfire. 99.99999999% of the people probably don't even know that it was my 16 year old daughter that actually brought it to my attention. I certainly planned on taking action, but the attention its received nationally has been incredible."
