An+Arts+Approach

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In 1974, Kanawha County was the first battleground in the American culture wars. Controversy erupted over newly-adopted school textbooks. School buildings were hit by dynamite and Molotov cocktails, buses were riddled with bullets, journalists were beaten and surrounding coal mines were shut down by protesting miners. =====

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Textbook opponents believed the books were teaching their children to question their authority, traditional values and the existence of God. =====

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Textbook supporters said children needed to be exposed to a wide variety of beliefs and experiences, and taught to make their own decisions. =====

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The 1974 events in Kanawha County connect to today's schools regarding censorship and textbook production and sales and religion and schools. =====

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//Social Studies Department Chair/ ////Social Studies Teacher, John Marshall High School //=====

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 * //Chair //**//, Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies, Social & Cultural Foundation, Educational Leadership Studies //=====

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//Director, // //Office for Global Initiatives and Diversity, West Virginia University //=====

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