Loewen's Interpretation Of The Heroification Movement

Heroification is the process that turns historical figures into perfect two-dimensional heroes with no flaws. It turns, "flesh-and-blood individuals into pious, perfect creatures" (1). This practice is prevalent in textbooks and historical films. Loewen's interpretation of heroification is that it is detrimental to students learning about history, specifically American history as well as society as a whole. It, "keeps students in intellectual immaturity" (18).
I agree with this interpretation. If the purpose of history is to learn from the mistakes of the past then erasing those mistakes has no benefit. Creating perfect historical figures leaves inaccessible role models for students and young adults. Deleting the negative consequences of famous historical figures leaves people not thinking about the far reaching effects of the country's actions. In America today the president is making decisions that could cause serious consequences and as citizens of this country being informed about what is going on is important because it affects our lives.
Gandhi is celebrated as a hero because of his amazing work as a nonviolent civil rights activist. His birthday is celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence. Gandhi was not perfect though. During his time in South Africa, Gandhi worked for equality for Indians, but not Africans. He viewed Africans as inferior and was horrified with the way white people grouped Indians and Africans together. While Gandhi believed that men and women are equal he also he also believed that women are naturally more nurturing, nonviolent, chaste, and should not do the same jobs as women. He is quoted saying that the Jews during the Holocaust should have committed mass suicide so that their deaths would be more honorable and have a