Is Trump Revising History His Way?

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Is Trump trying to hide past U.S. atrocities?

The National Park Service removed informational panels on slavery at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. It was done in response to President Trump’s executive order which demands “restoring truth and sanity to American history” at the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks. Maybe he meant HIS truth.

I shouldn’t need to say it, but those who fail to learn the past, or choose to ignore the past, are bound to repeat it. One could even argue that the excessive actions by ICE are a return to hating others just for being different. Some like to say diversity is our strength — and it should be. However, diversity always seems to be just the opposite. Why is it so hard to accept others for who they are instead of who we want them to be?

Bolt holes and “picture frames” are all that remain on the brick walls at the President’s House Site, where George and Martha Washington lived with those they owned as property. The exhibit included biographical details about the nine people enslaved by the Washington family at the presidential mansion when Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital. Just their names remain: Austin, Paris, Hercules, Christopher Sheels, Richmond, Giles, Oney Judge, Moll and Joe, as they are engraved into a cement wall.

Karen Oliver, a resident who was visiting the exhibit, said she was “heartbroken” at the removal of references to slavery and a chance for visitors to learn from the nation’s history. She stated, “You show all of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.” I agree with her thought process — and the unintended reference to one of my favorite western movies.

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The city of Philadelphia has sued Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, and acting National Park Service Director, Jessica Bowron. I would argue these two are simply doing their jobs as defined by the idiotic executive order. It’s a national exhibit. Is there even any merit in the lawsuit? Did the city suffer damage on national property?

As stated, federal agencies are required to review interpretive materials to “ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values,” an Interior Department statement said. It called the city’s lawsuit frivolous, stating the display allegedly “demean[s] our brave Founding Fathers who set the brilliant road map for the greatest country in the world.”

That brings up a whole new debate. Should our founding fathers, who set the foundation for “the greatest country in the world”, be demeaned for owning slaves? By modern world standards, the answer would be a distinct, “Yes!” However, slavery pretty much existed everywhere in the world at that time. The world had yet to see anything but widespread slavery. Slavery was the spoils of victory. I’m certainly not defending it, just explaining it. Thankfully, the world has become much more civilized in the last 200 years.

When contrasting slavery to the famous words, “all men are created equal”, it’s important we stand for “all persons are created equal”. History should not be covered up, no matter how despicable it was, lest we repeat it.

Source used: Associated Press

Originally published at http://newsfolder19.com.