We need a complete history

Aug. 19, 2021

In late May, the uncovering of a mass grave containing the remains of 215 children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, shook Canadians, and indeed, the world. One month later, 751 unmarked graves were located at a school outside Marieval, Saskatchewan. And we know these cases are just the beginning. Stories of mass graves have circulated for decades, both in Canada and the United States, and on June 22, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced an investigation into these institutions. (Sojourners Blog, 7-22-21)

For all the truth-telling and truth-hearing that have happened since George Floyd’s killing opened the ancient wounds of America’s disease of racism last summer, there has been a predictable and powerful pushback from forces that don’t want our nation’s history of slavery, Jim Crow, and Native American genocide included in the teaching of history in schools and universities here.

And the well-organized, corporate-funded machine of misinformation, and the wealthy politicians and donors who back it, have brought this pushback to Minnesota.

Last month in Rochester and this month in White Bear Lake, and in school board meetings elsewhere in our state, religious and politically conservative groups have tried to take over those meetings because they don’t want these painful parts included in the teaching of history and social studies.

If Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32), then people of faith shouldn’t be afraid to tell and hear the full U. S. history of ALL our people, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color.

Honesty in education

I value honesty in education because I have benefited from knowing more of the full story as it becomes known.

That way, I can make better choices as a citizen, an engaged voter, a person of faith, and a leader.
The more of our history I know, the better I can evaluate candidates, legislation, political and, yes, MORAL choices you and I face in our country as followers of Jesus.

Jeanie Morrison and Sara Wright attended the Roseville Area Schools Board meeting on Tuesday night, and can share with you what they learned about the presence of an anti-critical race theory agenda working its way through our schools.

We are discussing how to best support the Board and all our educators and administrators.

Is this happening in your school district? Would you like to know more about #HonestyInEducation? You can contact Jeanie or Sara, or get in touch with http://IsaiahMN.org to find out how you can get involved.