It has been heartening to read the many excellent letters appearing in recent Monitors stating robust opposition to the passage of NH House bill HB 544. These opinions have consistently and passionately provided valid dissent, many supported by historic examples.
Importantly, the opposition has been expressed by several students who would be adversely influenced if the bill becomes law. I’m adding my objection to this detrimental bill passed by the NH House, which has since been incorporated into the state’s two-year budget bill. This bill will be considered by the Senate Finance Committee.
We must not be bamboozled by the change in designation. Whether from the stance of an individual or a country, it’s natural to look to the good things that make us proud. Things we want to hold onto and crow about. And there have been many.
But we’re wearing blinders if we downplay or eliminate past transgressions. Whitewashing truth is bad enough if done through individual eyes, however, it’s much more serious if preached nonstop by politicians or staunch advocates. And it becomes even worse in the long term if taught in the classroom.
Youthful minds and actions will guide our country down the road when the haters among us have careened off into the ditch of time. In addition to our country’s great accomplishments, they need a clear-eyed version of some of the shameful chapters of our history. History does repeat itself, just maybe in varied ways under differing circumstances.
Racism, inequality waged against women and ethnocentrism have followed the U.S. throughout the centuries. In some decades the consequences have been more severe than others. From the arrival of slave ships, the Trail of Tears, Indian boarding school indoctrination and squalid reservation life, to the countless lynchings of Black people, Japanese internment camps, denying women voting rights and equal pay for equal work, present-day hatred and violence toward anyone other than white male Americans continues.
Blatant lies spread by our nation’s leaders in more modern times resulting in needless wars also need to be brought to light in high schools and colleges. Arrogance and ignorance of cultures different from ours have dragged our country into cruel long-term fiascos like the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Former President Trump pushed the throttle into hyper-drive years before taking office in 2017 when he falsely ranted that Barack Obama wasn’t eligible to hold elected office because he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. Once president, Trump trounced over decency and tromped upon all sensibilities throughout his single term. He continues this disservice from a distance, yet still too close. His reprehensible influence spurs on the development of bills like HB 544.
(Paul Nichols lives in Loudon.)