The Whitewashing of American History
Over the past few days, there have been reports of how the American military under the leadership of PHegseth as removed mention of minorities in its public realm. First, the Air Force removed mention of the Tuskegee airmen, and a black air group that played a key role in the European air theater during WWII. The Army dropped mention of the Japanese American Battalions that fought in Italy. The Marines had to eliminate mention of the Navajo Code Talkers that the Japanese could not break. Arlington National Cemetary had to drop mention of Colin Powell and the achievements of other minority servicemen interned in it. Ameican bases that had been once named for Confederate generals but the names were changed during the Biden administration have now been renamed for the generals once again (actually Hegseth claims they were named for other servicemen that just had the same last name of the Confederates).
But, it is just not the military. Today the General Services Administration dropped their contract demands that there would be no segregated facilities for minority workers. The GSA still says a contractor must still follow federal law, it is just not specifically mentioned any more in any contracts they let out.
In New York City, there is the Stonewall National Monument which is dedicated to LGBYTQA rights. Today, the National Park service replaced the plaque on the Wall of Honor dropping any mention of Bisexual or Transgender rights.
There has even been a movement to eliminate any pictures of the bomber that dropped the first nuclear bomb on Japan because it was named the Enola Gay. Can't have that Gay word out there, even though the Stratofortress was named after the mother of the pilot, Enola Gay Tibbetts. (Yes, I know some people would want to drop the picture for other reasons).
60 plus universities are now being investigated for continuing to present Diversity, Equity, Inclusion programs in spite of an executive order saying they must be dropped.
Just today, I found out that the ecumenical ministry at the University of Idaho--called The Center (actually at the center of campus) has now lost its access to the university email system because it was saying it will allow minority groups use their facilities even through those groups are no longer recognized by the University. The Center's property belongs to The Center, not the University--a quirk of history.
Let's just set our watches back to the 1934. We have a new Hitler arising.
But, it is just not the military. Today the General Services Administration dropped their contract demands that there would be no segregated facilities for minority workers. The GSA still says a contractor must still follow federal law, it is just not specifically mentioned any more in any contracts they let out.
In New York City, there is the Stonewall National Monument which is dedicated to LGBYTQA rights. Today, the National Park service replaced the plaque on the Wall of Honor dropping any mention of Bisexual or Transgender rights.
There has even been a movement to eliminate any pictures of the bomber that dropped the first nuclear bomb on Japan because it was named the Enola Gay. Can't have that Gay word out there, even though the Stratofortress was named after the mother of the pilot, Enola Gay Tibbetts. (Yes, I know some people would want to drop the picture for other reasons).
60 plus universities are now being investigated for continuing to present Diversity, Equity, Inclusion programs in spite of an executive order saying they must be dropped.
Just today, I found out that the ecumenical ministry at the University of Idaho--called The Center (actually at the center of campus) has now lost its access to the university email system because it was saying it will allow minority groups use their facilities even through those groups are no longer recognized by the University. The Center's property belongs to The Center, not the University--a quirk of history.
Let's just set our watches back to the 1934. We have a new Hitler arising.
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Comments
On the face of it, this thread looks like it ought to be in Epiphanies. @Gramps49, could you please clarify exactly what question you were hoping to discuss? Thanks.
Hostly beret off
la vie en rouge, Purgatory host
I chose purgatory because it is the proper debate space for theology, ethics, politics, science, tech and culture. I include history under culture.
You are right. I had yet to have my cup of coffee this morning when I posted my reply to @la vie en rouge .
I think most people here would agree it's bad. Some of the more egregious decisions have been reversed, eg. the Tuskegee Airmen, "deimedal", but that might just be giving Republicans the opportunity to say "That was all just a big mistake, we really respect veterans!", thus squelching discussion as to why the decision was made in the first place.
Doublethink, Admin