I wish that slavery had not been presented a solely a "Southern" issue, and a seriously white-washed one at that. Taking the Diocese of New Jersey's Anti-Racism Training, I have been surprised to learn how pervasive slavery was in New Jersey, even--gasp!--in the central and northern parts of the state. And how much of the wealth of the Colonial-era churches was created on the backs of enslaved people.
Thank you for this article and encouragement to stand strong. As a fellow history teacher, I am working hard to present the truth of history as seen through the eyes of those who lived it. This executive order will take concerted action and effort to combat and uphold an honest accounting with the historical truth. Keep on fighting.
So sad to read these updates. I love the NMAAHC & various museums. I learned a lot at the Nat'l Museum of American Indian also....with the visual of so many treaties broken repeatedly along with the rich, beautiful cultures of the nations.
In school (or in church), I didn't learn about the truths of U.S. history or the local history with the Underground Railroad & Black History in the county.
In 2024, I took a guided-cross-county tour, on which I learned about the history of where I grew up... in the area where Thaddeus Stevens led & countered another native-foe, U.S. Pres Buchanan. I read about Thaddeus Stevens in Dr. Jemar Tisby's book, "The Spirit of Justice." The tour guide from LancasterHistory mentioned trying to get more of the local history included in the the public school districts. That was back in 2024 though. I hope the renovations in the convention center continue with the opening in 2025 too: https://stevensandsmithcenter.org/
We were taught that the Civil War was about states rights. We were taught that carpet baggers came south to punish the south in reconstruction. We were not taught slavery by another name, Jim Crow, the Great Migration, or the violence in lynchings, the accounts of Tulsa or Elaine.
The African American museum is wonderful. For the last ten years, I’ve been trying to catch up on what I did not know. That museum is critical to helping the next generations understand our full history.
I am so thankful for your truth telling and educating me. The Smithsonian is such an important part of my life in our many visits to DC. I am reeling from the details as they emerge from the major breach of national intelligence. Every veteran I have spoken to says the same thing. If I had done that, I would be court martialed.
Yes to all of this! My church in Indiana has been offering seminars taught by an historical scholar about these very things, and I'm presently teaching your book, How to Fight Racism, in a church life group I'm hosting at my house. The church can do much to fight racism and teach historical truth! Thank you for all you do!
I so dislike that our schools taught such history that it cherry picked what they only thought was important. Now with the history you and others are showing us, I begin to understand. I am a white Christ follower, and this breaks my heart how privileged I was. Thank you for all you do in letting us stay informed. You always give us ways to learn, communicate about the real issues, and continue to do what Jesus has taught us!
The Massive Resistance campaign in Virginia, for one. The other is the Rosenwald fund, and the partnership of Booker Washington and Julius Rosenwald to build quality schools for black children throughout the South.
I appreciate you so much. I taught history in middle school and high school. I got so much push back from parents when I included the voices of people of color. The fight must continue.
Since discovering I have a long history of enslaver ancestors - going back to New Rochelle, NY in the 1700s - I’ve uncovered so much repressed history.
I wish I had learned about the white supremacists movement in North Carolina circa 1898. Duly elected Black and white officials and civil servants were ejected from service, many banished, and a number murdered.
It happened in Wilmington and New Bern, majority Black cities with vibrant social, economic, and political scenes.
It was a state-wide Coup and the beginning of sanctioned racial terror and Jim Crow in the state.
I wish that slavery had not been presented a solely a "Southern" issue, and a seriously white-washed one at that. Taking the Diocese of New Jersey's Anti-Racism Training, I have been surprised to learn how pervasive slavery was in New Jersey, even--gasp!--in the central and northern parts of the state. And how much of the wealth of the Colonial-era churches was created on the backs of enslaved people.
I did not learn the details of Jim Crow
My Lord! This administration is exhausting.
Tulsa riots. My sister learned about them in DC Public School but no mention of it in my private DC school
Powerful commentary, Jemar! Reminds me of Hitler’s rewriting of history.
DJT uses the pretext of others "rewriting history" to try to rewrite history.
The simple truth to this action is this: Donald Trump is a liar. That is not a vitriolic accusation, it is a plain fact.
These executive orders are authoritarian, tyrannical, and despotic.
Thank you for this article and encouragement to stand strong. As a fellow history teacher, I am working hard to present the truth of history as seen through the eyes of those who lived it. This executive order will take concerted action and effort to combat and uphold an honest accounting with the historical truth. Keep on fighting.
So sad to read these updates. I love the NMAAHC & various museums. I learned a lot at the Nat'l Museum of American Indian also....with the visual of so many treaties broken repeatedly along with the rich, beautiful cultures of the nations.
In school (or in church), I didn't learn about the truths of U.S. history or the local history with the Underground Railroad & Black History in the county.
In 2024, I took a guided-cross-county tour, on which I learned about the history of where I grew up... in the area where Thaddeus Stevens led & countered another native-foe, U.S. Pres Buchanan. I read about Thaddeus Stevens in Dr. Jemar Tisby's book, "The Spirit of Justice." The tour guide from LancasterHistory mentioned trying to get more of the local history included in the the public school districts. That was back in 2024 though. I hope the renovations in the convention center continue with the opening in 2025 too: https://stevensandsmithcenter.org/
We were taught that the Civil War was about states rights. We were taught that carpet baggers came south to punish the south in reconstruction. We were not taught slavery by another name, Jim Crow, the Great Migration, or the violence in lynchings, the accounts of Tulsa or Elaine.
The African American museum is wonderful. For the last ten years, I’ve been trying to catch up on what I did not know. That museum is critical to helping the next generations understand our full history.
"Who controls the past controls the future: Who controls the present controls the past." Orwells 1984
I am so thankful for your truth telling and educating me. The Smithsonian is such an important part of my life in our many visits to DC. I am reeling from the details as they emerge from the major breach of national intelligence. Every veteran I have spoken to says the same thing. If I had done that, I would be court martialed.
Yes to all of this! My church in Indiana has been offering seminars taught by an historical scholar about these very things, and I'm presently teaching your book, How to Fight Racism, in a church life group I'm hosting at my house. The church can do much to fight racism and teach historical truth! Thank you for all you do!
I so dislike that our schools taught such history that it cherry picked what they only thought was important. Now with the history you and others are showing us, I begin to understand. I am a white Christ follower, and this breaks my heart how privileged I was. Thank you for all you do in letting us stay informed. You always give us ways to learn, communicate about the real issues, and continue to do what Jesus has taught us!
The Massive Resistance campaign in Virginia, for one. The other is the Rosenwald fund, and the partnership of Booker Washington and Julius Rosenwald to build quality schools for black children throughout the South.
It was the 70s
I appreciate you so much. I taught history in middle school and high school. I got so much push back from parents when I included the voices of people of color. The fight must continue.
Since discovering I have a long history of enslaver ancestors - going back to New Rochelle, NY in the 1700s - I’ve uncovered so much repressed history.
I wish I had learned about the white supremacists movement in North Carolina circa 1898. Duly elected Black and white officials and civil servants were ejected from service, many banished, and a number murdered.
It happened in Wilmington and New Bern, majority Black cities with vibrant social, economic, and political scenes.
It was a state-wide Coup and the beginning of sanctioned racial terror and Jim Crow in the state.