John,
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m grateful to reflect and honor a leader who contributed profoundly to the fight for civil rights. As I reflect, I find myself contemplating the importance of preserving and understanding our shared history.
We've recently witnessed a cynical and concerted effort on the Right to distort or erase critical aspects of our past. Our nation's journey has been marked by both struggle and progress, sometimes messy and often imperfect.
Across the country, there is a movement to remove the teaching of our country’s full history from classrooms. When presidential candidate Nikki Haley attempts to erase the role of slavery in the Civil War, it’s a reminder that the battles for truth and honest education are ongoing.
Recent actions of conservatives like Governor Ron DeSantis, targeting diversity initiatives at universities with misinformation, are also deeply troubling. They seek to divide and appeal to tribalism, fostering an environment that further contributes to division.
Locally, we see this challenge up close as Moms for Liberty members, sometimes aligned with dangerous groups like the Proud Boys, descend upon school board meetings. Whether they intend to disrupt or to drive the agenda, we must push back so that our children can learn real history in an atmosphere of inclusive discourse.
As we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, let us remain committed to promoting truth, empathy, and an education that embraces the complexities of our history. Working together towards a more just and equitable future requires acknowledging our past, including its darkest chapters.
Thank you for joining me in this reflection.
Warmly,
Nancy Goroff
