I’m with Rod on everything he said. Most of the time we don’t even think about how what we do, or don’t do, literally affects others. The problem is also that we live in the world of me and mine, and we don’t think beyond what is in our personal orbit. But, our orbit is affected by what is outside all the time. You see, infection starts somewhere. If Covid taught us anything, it was how quickly infections can spread and take over. If nothing is done to fight the infection, or if little is done and a complete resolution is not undertaken, although it may seem like the infection is under control, it suddenly flares up again but this time it’s worse than it was the time before.
So, not only does not knowing ones history deny them heritage, it also teaches them how not to repeat crucial mistakes of the past. Make no mistake about it, trying to suppress crucial, vital parts of history to spare adults some embarrassment, shame, or feelings of guilt benefits no one, as it results in horrible wrongs being repeated with uncertain outcomes.
Now, why are some adults embarrassed about atrocities of the past? Because they are guilty of similar atrocities in the future. If you don’t have anything to be ashamed of then you have no wish, no desire, to suppress things done in the past. These parents don’t want their children to associate things they have witnessed being discussed in school because they think the dirty little things they do in the dark, will never come to light. We all know this is not true. This is why many of us White People have no fear of the past, as we know horrible things were done and need to be made right. We want these things to be made right. We want the truth to set us free. Please, do not be fooled. Ignorance is a form of prison and no one should desire to be imprisoned. We do not live in a complete democratic society because to many within the society do not wish us to have a complete democracy. To many want to choose who they will be allowed to participate in any of the American forms of democracy. If they can’t limit who participates they will settle for an authoritarian form of government, which forces those they don’t desire to have an equal part in decision into a subjugated position in life. This is what you see happening today. It’s our job to make sure they don’t succeed.
