TEACH OUR HISTORY
My friends and family will no doubt shake their heads, and say “There she goes again!” But I feel compelled to add my two cents worth to the current debate over the new teaching standards for Black History curriculums in Florida. What I am learning concerns me, as I am a firm believer in teaching the truth in history. There is much to celebrate, but also much to rectify in our collective past.
The analogy that best represents my thoughts on the matter is not original to me. I do believe it is an excellent illustration of how to approach our country’s racial conundrum. When Ed and I bought our home nearly 50 years ago, there was much to love. The house was, and is, unique, special, and very dear to our hearts. But there were issues that had to be addressed if the house was going to continue to stand strong. If we wanted the house to survive for our children and grandchildren, many repairs and renovations had to be made.
We did not say, “Well, these problems are not our problems...we didn’t cause them. Not our fault. Not our responsibility”. No. We tucked in and did the necessary work to preserve the house in all of its Florida Cracker House glory. Now, nearly 100 years old, this old house still needs constant upkeep and attention. We do it because the house is worth the effort.
Perhaps the reader can see the connection I am making, but to be sure, let me be absolutely clear. Our nation is beyond special, unique and dear to us all. It has much about it that is inspiring, important and beloved. But no nation is perfect. Our forefathers did many things right, but they also made terrible mistakes. If we want our nation to stay strong, to survive for another 250 years, we must recognize and rectify those mistakes.
To acknowledge the sins of the past is not to condemn ourselves in the present. Our responsibility, today, is to do the work of repair. That cannot happen if we choose to literally whitewash our collective history. We did not personally commit those sins, but we have both the power and the responsibility to repair the damage done in the past. Let us do it because the nation and our people are worth the effort.
It is my deepest desire that we can come together to celebrate ALL of our history, so that we can be proud of the progress achieved and dedicated to moving forward together, one nation, one brotherhood, under God.
Respectfully,
Verna Brock
Wakulla Station