Removing paintings, murals, statues, sculptures, etc. from our schools, streets and governmental properties is taking place in several states. The argument is that these objects show images from America’s offensive and racist past.
Escaping history will always be an issue when America’s obstinacy refuse to acknowledge deep seated cultural bigotry and hypocrisy. Consider the third stanza of the Star Spangle Banner:
It is shameful that these places where our ancestors were enslaved, whipped, raped, tortured and exposed to fatal diseases have been whitewashed and turned into tourist attractions. I believe that law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be exposed to degrading imagery promoted by card-carrying white supremacist.
Should we appoint a Correction Commission to examine the backgrounds of the people who have streets named for them? How about sculptures offensive to American Indians? What about streets with Spanish or Mexican names? Better yet! Will America change the name of Washington state? You can see where this line of reasoning can take America. There’s plenty to cover in covering up America’s ugly history!
For the past few generations we’ve been transformed to a divisive politically correct, tolerant culture. America still put every person and every ideology into sub classes or groups with the purpose of pitting one group against another. Does erasing history make us a better nation by focusing only on the wrongs done in the past? From the stains of the past from slavery and the Civil Rights struggles in the South and Anti War hate filled acts towards young men coming home from Vietnam, the United States of America has had her share of national shame.
Dealing with “Escaping History” is a sensitive issue, and comparing it to what’s happening in our country today, where we are so divided racially, it’s hard to put things into perspective. Things were far from perfect back in those days, and there were ignorant bigots back then just as they are today.
George Washington Carver once said that “Ninety-nine percent of the failures comes from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
~Willie J. Warren M.A., Retired Professor, Freelance Writer
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