Good afternoon members of the Texas State Board of Education,
I want to start by prefacing the context of my speech with this. The moment we start to become gatekeepers of knowledge is the moment when we as American citizens refuse to uphold the First Amendment of the Constitution. I believe no matter how horrible, and morally wrong certain historical figures, or instances are they should still be taught in the educational system. This is because censoring information creates a world similar to that of communist countries seen throughout the 20th Century. It goes against the principles of our great nation and I hope you all see that too.
Now to focus on John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed, who was in my opinion of the milder historical figures historians have studied. I understand Chapman’s character has been wrapped up with business ventures, alcoholism throughout the country, not the heroic figure portrayed at the elementary level. If I may, I would like to explain my position why this is a necessary part of our education, and why Chapman should still be taught to children and adults alike.
If I can be frank, the economic system of this country has been capitalism, a system where we allow our citizens to control trade for profit with regulations to prevent abuse of this system. At its core Chapman’s business model represents this system, by planting his apple seeds to sell them at later dates to the settlers looking to start up plots of land. The children’s story written by Houran and Godbout details Johnny Appleseeds’ route “ Johnny planted more seeds-thousands of them- across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana” (pg 4). Although, it may have been a child’s tale it was an accurate description of Chapman’s travel plans throughout the Frontier.This was an investment he made to profit, an investment that people make nowadays. A model similar to the stock market we see citizens can invest their capital, and look to hopefully collect a profit in the foreseeable future. This is an accurate portrayal of the aggressive American business motivations seen during our Industrial Revolution with industries such as Ford on the rise, the steel industry. To wag the finger at Chapman for this would require the same denunciation to modern day industries which have made life better for the American people.
I’d now like to address the connections between alcohol and Chapman. Alcoholism in the country’s history is a blemish, a blemish if removed would be doing a disservice to the reforms
and regulations put in place. Yes, I agree with all of you this is not something that should be introduced to children. Alcohol and drinking are concepts I would only mention to children if I were referring to them as bad things, children should not do. However, this was a lesson I learned as I got older. I believe this something that should be afforded to children when they mature and can make decisions or judgements when they are mentally capable. Alcoholism is wrong I also agree with this point, but when alcohol was outlawed the country saw the rise in illegal speakeasies increase rapidly. People will drink this is a fact, but it is also a fact that people drink responsibly, especially as they grow with age, which is why I believe that we shouldn’t hold Chapman responsible for the legal decisions citizens of the country can and will make. Pollan the author of Botany of Desire makes a critical connection when he writes “ Who he was, I realized, was the American Dionysus’ (pg 36). Dionysus was a greek god created to explain how wine came to be, it was a myth to make sense of the world. If the Greeks were able to create such a story, it was possible for any other settler to come and use apples exactly how Chapman. Had Chapman gotten involved in a different industry it would have been someone else I would be writing this speech for . That is why I can’t agree with the decision to outlaw teachings on Chapman based on the concept of alcoholism.
Lastly, I’d like to discuss with you all the ideas of the apple and how it evolved as society did. Yes has the apple been associated with all sorts of issues in American history, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t changed present day. Pollan explains on page 51 “Sweetness in an apple now meant sugariness, plain and simple.” The apple was now a tasty treat meant to prolong a visit to the doctor. It was a fruit that caught the eyes of many Americans and evolved to be ripe with flavor.Addiotionally, the apple is associated with sweet treats, it’s a great snack. To make the claim that because the apple was associated with alcohol therefore we should censor it along with John Chapmanis where I disagree. The apple has changed its reputation during the 20th century for the better.
Thank you for your time and I want to reaffirm my position on censoring the blemishes of history. That it is wrong to do so and no one benefits from immoral practices of censorship
