This news also brought on tears the minute I digested its cruelty. The only way to counter the disgust I’m feeling is to speak out against such small-mindedness and attempt to control what we can see & read in our own national preserves.
I’d like to believe that Michael, but much of our country’s history and struggles has already been “ erased” from public knowledge or rewritten to be more sanitized.
NOW the whitewashing is endangering the very historical sites and their accompanying history that we take for granted— because they are open land features and supposedly preservered and protected by our government. We’ve got to speak out louder!
The United States is not now and has never been a racist country. That’s the big lie which this administration would have Americans believe. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted that military veterans and active duty troops urged the Trump Administration to rename American military bases after Confederates who took up arms against the United States to preserve, protect and defend the institution of slavery. Hegseth said and I quote that this move was “important for morale.” The truth of the matter is that the actions of this administration prove that America has always been a racist nation. Once upon a time we laughed at Archie Bunker. In 2024, we reelected him as president.
Of course the United States has always been a racist nation! Nearly our entire history has circled around that, along with movement against racism towards inclusiveness.
When it comes to the real truth, things that have really happened can never be erased. You can only be a fully free and responsible adult when you’ve become able to face all of reality. We’re all on that journey, although we’re not all there yet!
As it happens, Trump’s idiocy is forcing us to see all kinds of things…
I’m afraid if I submit this they would act. Ugh. ‘There are chains at the feet of Lady Liberty. These should probably be removed since they represent our removal of human bondage. Shame on us for continuing to have this atrocity be almost visible to those who get close enough to see and understand it. At 72yo I only recently learned of this travesty. ‘
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana
‘Repeat History’ is playing out right now - attacks on historic truth are a method of censorship at least, and unconscionable theft of our legacy, at worst.
As a NPS park ranger, I’ll share with you that you can utilize your voice to support your parks of what a good job we are doing trying to tell an accurate history. Turns out so much positive response about our park’s diversity and inclusivity is coming in via the QR codes, Washington leadership sent out an email to park leadership calling it all “spam” and blaming us, the park staff. So - use those QR codes for the power of good. Express how you appreciate the continued effort the parks have been giving (in at least my 17 years as a front line ranger) to tell more diverse and inclusive stories. And believe me - we will just keep on doing it, it’s our job.
Great article as always. My wife and I will be spending a month in Alaska this summer will be on alert to Trump's anti-woke agenda. Trump is trying to create an America in his own "white" image, and ordaining what it is to be a "real" American. Rather than running from our past, we should own it and learn from it.
The German government chose to own up to its Nazi past, teach the lessons of that horrible time in its history, and open museums, memories, and historic sites for all the world to see. They believe that by shining a light on its past, future generations will be less likely to repeat it.
They're eating us inch by inch. Death by torture. I guess, record what we have and carefully save what we can. ALL Americans deserve these places we've set aside, and the truth. All my life I've treasured these places and the education parks have done for us and for those visiting from outside of the US. Now this 'sign' has come. I'm so angry I can't express it.
May I share this piece on my blog The Flensburg Files? This is one we need to discuss in full with our readers. Would you be interested in an interview for an article I'll write?
Nothing disparages America like lying about our history, warts and all.
Well said
Warts and all is a powerful saying. I accept or love you with your incredible falability.
The word eviscerate is more apt than sanitize. Just my 3 cents (aka my observation).
I'm in tears. I HATE what this country has become with the fascists running it. I always said "you can't erase history"....well, I guess you can. :-(
No, you cannot. We will throw these people out and restore what is ours. We don’t have a choice.
This news also brought on tears the minute I digested its cruelty. The only way to counter the disgust I’m feeling is to speak out against such small-mindedness and attempt to control what we can see & read in our own national preserves.
Well they can try, but they won't succeed.
I’d like to believe that Michael, but much of our country’s history and struggles has already been “ erased” from public knowledge or rewritten to be more sanitized.
NOW the whitewashing is endangering the very historical sites and their accompanying history that we take for granted— because they are open land features and supposedly preservered and protected by our government. We’ve got to speak out louder!
The United States is not now and has never been a racist country. That’s the big lie which this administration would have Americans believe. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted that military veterans and active duty troops urged the Trump Administration to rename American military bases after Confederates who took up arms against the United States to preserve, protect and defend the institution of slavery. Hegseth said and I quote that this move was “important for morale.” The truth of the matter is that the actions of this administration prove that America has always been a racist nation. Once upon a time we laughed at Archie Bunker. In 2024, we reelected him as president.
Of course the United States has always been a racist nation! Nearly our entire history has circled around that, along with movement against racism towards inclusiveness.
When it comes to the real truth, things that have really happened can never be erased. You can only be a fully free and responsible adult when you’ve become able to face all of reality. We’re all on that journey, although we’re not all there yet!
As it happens, Trump’s idiocy is forcing us to see all kinds of things…
These national parks belong to the WE THE PEOPLE!
What an opportunity! Time to start reporting un-american activity in YOUR favorite national park! Easily! Anonymously! Be creative! Have fun! 🙂🇺🇸😇
https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/eo14253.htm
PS: Definitely do not "FLOOD THE ZONE"...that would be wrong.
I’m afraid if I submit this they would act. Ugh. ‘There are chains at the feet of Lady Liberty. These should probably be removed since they represent our removal of human bondage. Shame on us for continuing to have this atrocity be almost visible to those who get close enough to see and understand it. At 72yo I only recently learned of this travesty. ‘
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana
‘Repeat History’ is playing out right now - attacks on historic truth are a method of censorship at least, and unconscionable theft of our legacy, at worst.
Exactly
It reminds me of the Japanese thought police from the last century.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Higher_Police
As a NPS park ranger, I’ll share with you that you can utilize your voice to support your parks of what a good job we are doing trying to tell an accurate history. Turns out so much positive response about our park’s diversity and inclusivity is coming in via the QR codes, Washington leadership sent out an email to park leadership calling it all “spam” and blaming us, the park staff. So - use those QR codes for the power of good. Express how you appreciate the continued effort the parks have been giving (in at least my 17 years as a front line ranger) to tell more diverse and inclusive stories. And believe me - we will just keep on doing it, it’s our job.
Thank you Jessica!! This is what we need to hear!
I would like to report Doug Burgman to be FIRED
Great article as always. My wife and I will be spending a month in Alaska this summer will be on alert to Trump's anti-woke agenda. Trump is trying to create an America in his own "white" image, and ordaining what it is to be a "real" American. Rather than running from our past, we should own it and learn from it.
The German government chose to own up to its Nazi past, teach the lessons of that horrible time in its history, and open museums, memories, and historic sites for all the world to see. They believe that by shining a light on its past, future generations will be less likely to repeat it.
Kurt, Santa Rosa, California
And they are still fighting neo-Nazi parties (AfD) who just won't stay dead.
They're eating us inch by inch. Death by torture. I guess, record what we have and carefully save what we can. ALL Americans deserve these places we've set aside, and the truth. All my life I've treasured these places and the education parks have done for us and for those visiting from outside of the US. Now this 'sign' has come. I'm so angry I can't express it.
It’s hard to comprehend how we could have possibly gotten here and how so many Americans support this. But here we are and here we must fight
It's covering up the truth! We can't let this happen!
I think we should flood them with flags on the disappearances of history we notice at these sites. Wiping those away is disparaging of Americans!
Shameful!!!!
May I share this piece on my blog The Flensburg Files? This is one we need to discuss in full with our readers. Would you be interested in an interview for an article I'll write?
I’m on vacation for the weekend but feel free to share it!
Thanks! The interview will most likely be at the end of July when I return from my vacation. I'll contact you when I return from the office. :-)
Past mistakes ignored lead to future mistakes made worse—which we are already witnessing.