Answers:
Manifest Destiny is the belief that AMERICANS have some kind of God-given destiny to grab land and set up camp. It seems racist because white people were the ones doing this in history. Schools don't teach that manifest destiny is what WE should strive for- it's simply teaching the concept so students can understand the reasoning behind the settlers' actions. Obviously great class discussions can take place to discuss the pros and cons of this idea. These discussions usually include the negative effects MD had on Native Americans and other racial minorities. Don't worry- teachers aren't acting like everything we did in our country's history was a-okay. At least I don't. My 3rd graders know that when the Constitution was made "with liberty and justice for all" that slaves existed and women couldn't vote.