History

                I can’t help but wonder how we got here. People are arguing that its patriotic to maintain statues of losers or statues of rapists (queue the statue of Epstein). While these people are certainly notable historical figures, do we really need monuments to remember who they are? Can we not read anymore? Do we not have a curiosity about the past anymore? Are we simply living in an isolated world where things haven’t happened before?

                I remember a trip to Gettysburg when I was in 6^th grade. I was mesmerized by the history all around me. I was in awe of the destruction that was preserved. Seeing the cannon holes in the local residencies struck a key in my head. People who didn’t want part in the war were affected, drastically at times. I didn’t see this at the time but has stuck with me over time. My memory has a way of picking out certain pasts that maybe I’d prefer to forget.

                At the end of this trip I remember that I picked out a Confederate hat, fairly non-descript, but still clearly from the failed South. I was proud of it at the time, it was gray, which I thought looked better than the Union hat which was navy blue and reminded me of the Yankees hat. At the time, I thought that I love an underdog, I loved the loser. Also it was the opposite of my hated Yankees.

                While I still hate the Yankees, I’ve grown up. While my choice of cap was innocent, I realize that it had more meaning than I had thought. I doubt that anyone was offended by me choosing that cap at the time, but I still wish to apologize. It has stuck with me after all this time. I’d like to think that with the knowledge I learned while at Gettysburg and paying attention to U.S. history, I’ve become a better person.

                Similarly, I remember a family trip out to the Dakotas, we saw Mt. Rushmore. It was a sight to behold and something that will always stick with me. I was in awe of the history carved in stone. However, I do think what stood out to me most was out trip to Crazy Horse. This carving has been in progress since 1948. Clearly the US has no intention of educating its citizens on the lives of its natives.

                All in all, it would seem that given the temperature of today, Americans would rather uphold the legacy of a failed succession than the legacy of those that successfully withstood the onslaught from their once neighbors. The northerners were not without sin, that’s for sure. Things could have been done differently, without a doubt. However, I’m pretty sure when it comes to race and race relations people dig in and double down whether or not they believe in it or not.