Kassandra Sanchez

ENG 101-108
Zack DePiero
12/15/2016
WP2
Freedom of.. Wait.. What is Freedom Again?
America the land of the free and home of the scared ? As an american citizen I can say
that we take extreme pride of our history. We wear it on our flag and sometimes our license
plates. Yet some tend to be bias as to what has actually happened in our past. AP US History is a
class that simply outlines and reviews events that happened in our history. Its the story of the
forming of our country and beliefs in exact detail. But it has been put on the chopping board in
Oklahoma by state officials and patriots. Who view it as a untrue and fabricated version of
American history that should not be taught to children because itll change their outlook on the
country they call home. But in opposition is an academically certified teacher Liana Heitin and
historian Randi Weingarten. Although they are of different professional positions it is only
natural for them to express and see things differently in their writing. Yet theyve seem to come
to a standstill in agreement on this topic. People tend to take small situations like these and blow
them way out of proportion even when it isn't necessary. By using class readings also by
evaluating and analyzing rhetorical strategies like ethos, pathos and the writers moves within the
writing of these two authors, I will ultimately prove that Liana Heitins views/writings on the AP
US History banning are both similar yet different to Randi Weingartens yet her uses of
experience, tone, voice and vocabulary makes her a more credible source.

Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.6 million-member American Federation of

Teachers . Shes also a certified american historian. In her article Why we cant allow the GOP
to whitewash AP US History -even the title- she is confidently vocal about her views on the
banning of AP US History. And also on how it is mainly caucasian women and men who are
protesting and concentrating on such a small problem instead of focusing on problems like the
Syrian Refugee Crisis or The Black Lives Matter Movement or even The Standing Rock Protest.
Her vocabulary ranges within her post. It goes from personal to informal consistently. And her
use of the word white-washing takes her writing to a whole new level of taboo. Its not very
commonly spoken about socially.
Yet what I find interesting about it, is that there is nowhere in the blog post where she
specifies or explains why she decided to use that specific word. Instead she addresses her
thoughts on division of race and political party within the United States. Why has the author
chosen to do this? This little detail has been in the back of my mind for some time now.
She also finds reason to mention how this banning will and can affect students in
highschool who depend on this AP class for college credit. AP courses allow our students to
earn college credit while still in high school. At a time when rising tuition is driving the cost of
higher education out of reach for many, we can ill afford to close pathways to higher education.
-Weingarten.This detail allows the reader to consider what exactly would happen if this banning
would be passed? One of his moves are his uses of historical mentions like Jim Crow South,
The Great Depression,Nazi Germany and Auschwitz in order to communicate the

importance of these historical events and what it means if we were to deny them. This move is
extremely smart and is made many times within his writing.

Liana Heitin a former teacher, who participated in the detailed focus-group discussions
for the College Board in the fall of 2010 in her blog said I was one of the 58 college teachers
from across the country my feedback on the new design was mixed,but generally positive with
regards to the overarching goal her experience within this focus group builds credibility within
her writing. Similar to Weingarten but unlike him she also looks at the opposing side's
arguments. At times her writing seems like shes siding with the opposing parties side. For
example I think there's a fair amount of self-righteous posturing among both the defenders and
critics of the bill. I know almost nothing about Reverend Fisher, and I am willing to believe that
his motives are entirely honorable yet she refutes I think his public pronouncements, if quoted
accurately, have been less than balanced. Shes very calm and kind rather than aggressive like
Weingarten when debunking an argument.
The use of vocabulary is very straight to the point and casual especially when she speaks
on her own views. It is the definite opposite of an Annoyance as Kyle Stedman would refer to
it. Her point is short, sweet and meaningful. Reading her blog is almost as if you're speaking to
a very very educated friend (Uncle Ben -Kyle Stedman). Her writing is catered to a more laid
back informal group. Yet it still relays a very vocal message.. Heitin uses various standpoints in
her writing and one of her sources is actually a baptist preacher. This surprised me, why would
she include a preachers words as a source? And I realized it's one of her moves as a writer she

found it useful to include religious and political standpoints in her writing. But it emphasizes her
and others passion on the subject, whether it be a historian, preacher or politician.

This AP test is something that sparks controversy whenever its mentioned. Both authors
have explained exactly why that happens in their own ways; As a society, pretty much the only
time that we pay attention to American history is when it is used as ammunition in contemporary
political debates. This instance is no exception says Liana Heitin. Randi Weingartens view is
simply the same. In comparison they both also mention College Board and how different
teachers are chosen to be apart of the decision makings on the new AP US History test. They
mention how the test was passed like it is every year yet, how many people and state officials
become dissatisfied and uncomfortable at the topics. Segregation, Slavery and Jim Crow are
some of the subjects that the test covers yet people tend to feel very touchy about it since most of
these events are usually glossed over during a normal history teaching.

Both authors have made it a point to speak about the different events and how they affect
us. They communicate the same meaning and deliver the same views. Yet I still prefer Heitins
article over Weingartens. As a reader I feel as though she has created a bond with me and is not
shouting or barking her views and opinions on the subject as I stated in my thesis. Instead she
hums it almost like a mother hums to her child. All while refuting and defending her beliefs.
Unlike Weingarten who in his loudest voice tells you what he thinks. His writing just drags on
constantly. I don't mean to sound rude about it but its just uninteresting to me. His type of
writing caters to another crowd. But in the end both writers do communicate the same meaning.

In conclusion, the AP US History test has caused a lot of controversy. A very

unnecessary controversy actually. As a former AP History student my eyes have opened ;it has
come to prove just how far we as a country have come just to deny everything that has ever
happened to us. Both authors in their professional views and standpoints have plenty of
similarities and differences . Yet both see that this banning has a lot to do with the taboo
subjects of America's past. And the constant denial of each and every event that did take place.
Weingarten and Heitin; with different tones, views, moves, sources and professional
backgrounds have both made it pretty clear that AP US History is a simple class that children can
take for college credit. Their writing is not only compelling to different groups of people but they
also make great points and statements in their arguments that's completely legible and follows
our argumentative criteria ria (when you can put no before the thesis statement to make it
arguable in two ways). Yet Heitins writing and experience has built a bond and credibility with
her readers. All while communicating the same meaning. So why ban a subject that people feel
so strongly about?

Work Cited Page

Weingarten, Randy, and I. Weingarten. "Why We Can't Allow the GOP to Whitewash
AP US History." Msnbc.com. NBC News Digital, 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
Heitin, Liana. "SHOULD ADVANCED PLACEMENT U. S. HISTORY BE
BANNED?" Faith and History. Faith and History.com, 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2016