Dear editor at Baltimore AFRO,
On March 27, the executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” was signed, targeting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for promoting an alleged “improper ideology.” This order threatens not only the ability of institutions to engage with the honest and truthful telling of Black history, but also our shared ability as a nation to understand Black history as a fundamental component of American history and World history.
letter Credit: Unsplash / Aaron Burden
History does not start in the middle it starts at the beginning as we know it. Including all cultures, ethnicities, sexes, religions and points of view. Truth must be told and not hidden any more. The good, the great, the bad and the ugly so all can learn truth and learn from the past to build a greater future. Denial and lies are not an option. It is important for us as real adults to face hurtful pasts as well as glorious pasts to set examples for our children. Our future is to make a better world. It is important that we as adults correct the lies of the past and set great examples for our children. This encourages critical thinking skills that should be taught and encouraged in all schools. Children should be taught to question and ask the important questions: what, who, where, when and –most of all– why.
We need to incorporate integrity, truth, justice, harmony, balance, order, righteousness and reciprocity in our schools as well as our government and society. All people’s history matters. Our government and institutions, etc. should be run by real adults who set true examples for our children. Our children are watching what we do not what we say.
There is a hunger and thirst in most people to know the truth, instead of denying and hiding it. Children come here innocently. I am proud to see my culture represented in all its factions and so should all people.
America is supposed to be working toward being a Democracy for all people, where there is freedom of religion, freedom of liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to assemble peacefully, freedom of justice for all people, not a Capitalistic Republic or Dictatorship. No books should be banned in schools, libraries, museums, etc.
African American and Black history is American history which is world history. This is a time of great change for the greater good for us all and the change first starts with each one of us.
Instead of tearing down we should be creating and building a more unified, harmonious, peaceful society.
Sincerely,
Alecia Jackson
Glen Burnie, Md.
