- United States
- Ga.
- Letter
The recent revelation that the National Park Service has been revising historical information on their websites to downplay the horrors of slavery and the struggles for civil rights is deeply concerning. Whitewashing critical moments in American history does a grave disservice to our shared understanding of the past and the immense sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and equality. Failing to accurately depict the brutality of slavery, the Underground Railroad's resistance to this inhumane system, and the hard-won victories in the civil rights movement robs future generations of appreciating the full weight of these events. It undermines our ability to learn from history and work towards a more just society. Removing references to oppression, inequality, and the ongoing fight for racial justice distorts the truth and prevents an honest reckoning with our nation's legacy. History must be presented in its complex and unvarnished reality, confronting difficult facts rather than sanitizing them. Only then can we truly honor those who struggled for change and carry forward the unfinished work of forging a more equitable nation. I urge you to take immediate action to restore the historical accuracy of the National Park Service's websites and educational materials. Preserving our shared history, warts and all, is a sacred trust we owe to past, present, and future generations. Anything less diminishes us all.