Rewriting The Nation: How Literature Challenges Biased Histori...
Indonesia's history education has often been shaped by nationalist narratives, which can obscure the complexities and contradictions of the past.
According to BandungBergerak.id, history reflects a nation's identity, but it is often fractured and reshaped by the "victors" of each era, presenting a distorted portrayal and resulting in a biased version of events that emphasizes the image of nationalism.
In Indonesia, the school curriculum filters historical narratives through a lens of nationalism, glorifying independence or ancient empires while sidelining marginalized voices.
However, literature offers a multidimensional alternative that captures the emotions and struggles missing from textbooks, as seen in Leila S.'s novel Namaku Alam (2024).
History reflects a nation's identity, but it is often fractured and reshaped by the "victors" of each era.
Author's summary: Literature challenges biased historical narratives in Indonesia.