Black history IS American history. Children should be taught the good, the bad and the ugly. Not this crap like saying Rosa Parks didn’t give up her seat because she was tired and her feet hurt. That probably was true but her brave protest enhanced the other bus protests that had occurred. It’s possible to more fully explain who MLK was, what he did and why it was important. The progression through Black history can illustrate not only the hate but also slowly improving race relations across whole country. There is much to share and much to do. Providing Black history is not brain-washing or indoctrinating it’s inclusion and shines a light on how far we have to go before equity and equality thrives. Personally I believe it wouldn’t hurt white people to feel some shame. Racism must not be tolerated. And that is probably going to piss off some white people who are deluded.
I grew up in Oregon where Blacks mostly lived in cities and in specific communities. I was born in 1954 and lived in the country and rarely saw anyone of color. Oregon and U.S. history barely touched on the ugly parts of Black history. But we did watch newsreels of World War II including death camps and mass graves filled with emaciated bodies. Why? Because these were white people that American soldiers saved.
My general assessment of Oregon’s unique liberal culture created in my mind a completely wrong view of slavery in Oregon and civil rights. Just a few years ago, I happened to catch a documentary which included stories of Blacks in Oregon. Oregon had always alluded that slavery was forbidden in the state which is true. BUT, the truth was Black people were illegal in Oregon. In 1844, a a law was passed that prohibited Blacks from entering or living in the state. Current Black settlers could be punished with “ not less than 20 nor more than 39 stripes” (whip lashes) for every six months they remained.
Additional laws were passed in later years. All of which were because of pro-slavery and anti-black ideas. They created an excuse that Blacks might rile up Native Americans and cause an uprising. Various laws regarding people of color were added to the Oregon Constitution until 99% of them were repealed after the 14th Amendment was ratified. The other 1% remained in the Oregon Constitution until 2002.
If you could have seen me after learning the truth about Oregon’s anti-black law, I was beyond pissed. Never had anyone told me (as a student) our ugly truth. By omission, Oregon Public schools lied to us. And this was during the well-documented fight for civil rights across the South. I would bet that today’s students are still in the dark.
I no longer admire the “liberalism” that I thought made Oregonians better. I know the people of Oregon were just as complicit as the Southerners.
How painful to have American history of enslaved people being erased because of white fragility. The pain that it ever happened and then to have it shoved out of teaching. Those enslaved people BUILT THIS NATION and that reality can never be silenced, try as the hateful cowards may.
Many have said, "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." More pertinent today might be, those who live in willful ignorance of past mistakes are doomed to recreate them.
Many have said, "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." More pertinent today might be, those who live in willful ignorance of past mistakes are doomed to recreate them.
Black history IS American history. Children should be taught the good, the bad and the ugly. Not this crap like saying Rosa Parks didn’t give up her seat because she was tired and her feet hurt. That probably was true but her brave protest enhanced the other bus protests that had occurred. It’s possible to more fully explain who MLK was, what he did and why it was important. The progression through Black history can illustrate not only the hate but also slowly improving race relations across whole country. There is much to share and much to do. Providing Black history is not brain-washing or indoctrinating it’s inclusion and shines a light on how far we have to go before equity and equality thrives. Personally I believe it wouldn’t hurt white people to feel some shame. Racism must not be tolerated. And that is probably going to piss off some white people who are deluded.
I grew up in Oregon where Blacks mostly lived in cities and in specific communities. I was born in 1954 and lived in the country and rarely saw anyone of color. Oregon and U.S. history barely touched on the ugly parts of Black history. But we did watch newsreels of World War II including death camps and mass graves filled with emaciated bodies. Why? Because these were white people that American soldiers saved.
My general assessment of Oregon’s unique liberal culture created in my mind a completely wrong view of slavery in Oregon and civil rights. Just a few years ago, I happened to catch a documentary which included stories of Blacks in Oregon. Oregon had always alluded that slavery was forbidden in the state which is true. BUT, the truth was Black people were illegal in Oregon. In 1844, a a law was passed that prohibited Blacks from entering or living in the state. Current Black settlers could be punished with “ not less than 20 nor more than 39 stripes” (whip lashes) for every six months they remained.
Additional laws were passed in later years. All of which were because of pro-slavery and anti-black ideas. They created an excuse that Blacks might rile up Native Americans and cause an uprising. Various laws regarding people of color were added to the Oregon Constitution until 99% of them were repealed after the 14th Amendment was ratified. The other 1% remained in the Oregon Constitution until 2002.
If you could have seen me after learning the truth about Oregon’s anti-black law, I was beyond pissed. Never had anyone told me (as a student) our ugly truth. By omission, Oregon Public schools lied to us. And this was during the well-documented fight for civil rights across the South. I would bet that today’s students are still in the dark.
I no longer admire the “liberalism” that I thought made Oregonians better. I know the people of Oregon were just as complicit as the Southerners.
History is history, nothing can change the truth. Whether it is taught or not taught, truth is still truth.
Bruce, are you familiar with …. “1984”?
Yes, it was a must read in my schooling.
Good, now are you familiar with…. “Japan “? ^^;
No
How painful to have American history of enslaved people being erased because of white fragility. The pain that it ever happened and then to have it shoved out of teaching. Those enslaved people BUILT THIS NATION and that reality can never be silenced, try as the hateful cowards may.
It’s shameful & disgraceful!
thank you.
CellyBlue: Your fight is one I enthusiastically join.
The story you tell is truth and we need to hear.
A vivid account is shared by the Oklahoma State Legislature for the apocalyptic terror of Tulsa‘s beautiful black community in 1921:
https://www.okhistory.org/research/forms/freport.pdf
Many have said, "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." More pertinent today might be, those who live in willful ignorance of past mistakes are doomed to recreate them.
Many have said, "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." More pertinent today might be, those who live in willful ignorance of past mistakes are doomed to recreate them.