White constituents care about Black History! Stop the erasure!

As one of your white constituents, I am writing to express my anger and deep concern over the ongoing erasure of Black history and blatant attacks on minority communities by our government. Recent actions, such as the removal of Jackie Robinson’s military history from Department of Defense records and the reshaping of exhibits at the National Archives to exclude critical narratives, are appalling and dangerous. These efforts undermine our shared values and threaten democracy. Jackie Robinson was not only a trailblazer in breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier but also a decorated veteran who stood against racial injustice during his military service. His story, along with countless others, represents the resilience and contributions of Black Americans to our nation. The Pentagon’s removal of his military history under the guise of eliminating “diversity, equity, and inclusion” materials is an affront to truth and justice. Similarly, the National Archives’ decision to sanitize exhibits by removing references to Martin Luther King Jr., Japanese internment, and Indigenous histories undermines our understanding of America’s past. These actions harm us all. Erasing history denies future generations the opportunity to learn from our triumphs and failures. It perpetuates ignorance, fosters division, and weakens democracy. Allowing such manipulations paves the way for authoritarianism. Furthermore, attacks on judges and efforts to dismantle protections for free speech, protest, and equal opportunity threaten the fabric of our democracy. These rights are essential for all Americans—especially marginalized communities—to hold power accountable and demand justice. I urge you to take immediate action: 1. Introduce/support legislation mandating transparency in historical preservation efforts within federal agencies like the Department of Defense and National Archives. Ensure decisions regarding historical materials are subject to public review. 2. Advocate for funding to expand DEI programs in government institutions rather than dismantling them. 3. Hold hearings to investigate the removal or alteration of historical records in federal institutions. The public deserves accountability. 4. Protect judicial independence by opposing measures that seek to remove judges for political reasons or weaken their ability to uphold constitutional rights. 5. Defend free speech and protest rights by rejecting any legislation or executive actions that limit these freedoms for marginalized communities or activists advocating for equality. These steps are necessary not only to safeguard Black history but also to preserve democracy for all Americans. Silence in the face of these injustices is complicity. I stand with my Black friends and neighbors because their history is American history, and their rights are human rights.