by Nick Beres
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Some members of the Tennessee Tea Party want to change the way history is taught in schools.
Several members met with state lawmakers and according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal they want to address: "an awful lot of made-up criticism about, for instance, the founders intruding on the indians or having slaves or being hypocrites in one way or another."
It goes on to say "... The things we need to focus on about the founders is that, given the social structure of their time, they were revolutionaries who brought liberty into a world where it hadn't existed.
"A lot of textbooks teach the founding fathers were mean vicious guys who took over a country," said Judson Phillipps, a Tea Party member.
Phillipps was not among those who met with lawmakers and does not entirely agree with their proposal for change.
"In the Tennessee curriculum, you couldn't say anything negative about the founding fathers and that's just nuts," said Phillipps.
State Representative Brenda Gilmore agrees.
"I think our young people deserve to know the blemishes in our history. As well as the things we celebrate," said Gilmore.
There are more than 60 different Tea Party groups in Tennessee. The members do not always agree on every issue.
Email: nberes@newschannel5.com
