Why Care About History?

I hope we're ready, myself included, to delve into this question in an empathetic way with an eye toward finding a positive path going forward. This isn't simply about the social upheaval in the US and the debate over statues in our public spaces. I have this theory that honest well taught history could be a powerful tool to combat many problems we face. Who will teach history has been contested through all of human history for this reason. Those in power have sought to use it to legitimize the status quo while those not so favored struggle to get past the official version of events so that their reality can be heard. If we hope to create a viable future it must include all of us and we must be willing to admit and grow from the times we were in the wrong. We must accept change. Let's start with the heroic statuary we all grew up with, some of which is now being removed. In the case of Confederate monuments, most of them don't date from right after the Civil War. They were installed during the era of Jim Crow, many paid for by the KKK. Their function was to enshrine white supremacy and send a clear message to Blacks to stay in their place. General Robert E. Lee was remade into a noble vision of the Southern leadership that was not based in fact. If that's what you grew up with in your history books I can understand why you would be angry to see them removed. What I'm asking you to do is to dig deeper into the history and be ready to change your opinions when you know the truth. I cannot expect my fellow citizens of Color to walk placidly by these statues. Some have defended the statues based on artistic value. Would it make a difference if I tell you that the same company in my Northern home state mass produced Civil War soldier monuments that were the same except for the Confederate or Union elements? There was money to be made from both sides so they gave the markets what they wanted. It should be enough to know the thought behind the statues to realize that they are not good art. The stories of Christoper Columbus and Andrew Jackson are very much the same. There was a lot of myth building going on to make them into heroic figures and associate our nation with a glorious founding that totally ignores the destruction they brought to societies that were already here. When we deny the full story we cheat ourselves and impede our own progress. There are so many important ordinary and diverse stories beyond the shallow overview of the prominent figures that most of us know. I work in a historical house museum so I know how hard it is to strike the right balance in how we present these stories. However, if we wish to preserve these old buildings from the founding days of the US we must tell our history in an inclusive manner. If future generations believe it's not their history too who will care to protect them? We need to instill critical thinking skills in our children or risk losing the opportunity to evolve into a better society. This is no easy task but the consequences are global. I believe we are at a critical point today. The type of people we choose to be will decide rather the human race has a future at all. Yes, it's that big of a deal. History is subject to change as we research and uncover new truths and as such, should not be graven in stone.