So, a couple of weeks ago, I made fun of the size of my pathetic looking little history book. Well, it seems that the joke is on me! I don’t know if it is advances in printing or what, but I just finished my first quiz last night, and let me tell you, there is more information in that little tiny book than all the history I learned in school!

Now, let me also say this, the “quiz” is not like the quizzes we used to take, these bad boys are B.R.U.T.A.L. Below is just the FIRST question of 7 that needed to be answered on the quiz: 

The course textbook suggests that “too often in historical writing, Europeans reaching the Americas are portrayed as the carriers of a superior culture that inevitably vanquished people living in a primitive if not ‘savage’ state” (3). Discuss how this portrayal has been the case in prominent representations of American history in American culture. Consider things like what you have learned about American history in school, how American history is often represented in popular culture like films and television shows, and how American history is often represented in national monuments and museums. Also, explain what might be the ramifications of this simplistic view of history. In addressing that, also discuss how the many groups of people who were classified together as “Indians” by Europeans “were enormously diverse in the size and complexity of their societies” (4). Specifically describe some of the diversity that can be seen among these groups of people.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Where is that answer in the friggin book?! Look, I only need this class for the credit, I am not going to be a history major, nor have I ever wanted to be a history major. I just need to get a “C” so that I can get the transfer credit. Can I get the “C” level questions please? How about something like “Hollywood’s portrayal of the Indians was depicted in the movie “The Lone Ranger”. What is the name of The Lone Ranger’s horse? Now THAT is a “C” level question my friends!

Ugh, I think I’ve seriously over estimated my mental capacity for this stuff. I’m more of a numbers gal. I can work numbers all day long, but give me something I actually have to think about and I’m exhausted. I’m exhausted just thinking about having to think!

Thankfully, I have a husband who is a bit of a rain man when it comes to history. “Silver, yeah Silver is his name…” But seriously, he helped me a ton and I want to thank him so much. I would probably still be propped up in front of the computer mumbling and drooling trying to answer those questions. He helps me think.

I’m sure all my complaining is helping somehow so with that being said, I better go and bury myself in that damn book again, I have another quiz coming up…