Paper short abstract:

The paper focuses on the complicated mediation of historical narratives among Greeks in America. Based on Greek American schoolbooks, I will demonstrate that history is taught through broken and segmented narratives which aim to indoctrinate children and create strong ethnic identities.

Paper long abstract:

History has always been central to Greek education, particularly in the diaspora. Greek immigrants pay special attention to the historical awareness of their children. The paper will focus on the complicated mediation of historical narratives among Greeks in America. Based on Greek American schoolbooks, I will demonstrate that history is taught through broken and selective narratives. Interestingly, only two periods of the whole Greek history are included in these narratives: the classical antiquity (5th and 4th century B.C.) and the Greek revolution against the Ottoman occupation (1821-1830). All these stories oscillate between history and mythology. Their leitmotif is the self-sacrifice of Greek heroes. The paper will examine the role of these broken histories in creating strong ethnic identities in the diaspora. The conscious selection of these segmented historical narratives demonstrates the wish to mediate a glorious past. Moreover, it emphasizes the continuity from antiquity and the national struggles to success. Additionally, narratives about Antiquity or the Revolution come in the form of short theatrical dialogues to be used in school performances. Their performative character contributes to the formation of the historical awareness of the Greek children. Finally, these broken narratives of an appropriated history aim to indoctrinate the children to praise their heritage and imitate their ancestors.