The Continued Desire to Forget The Past
History is often uncomfortable, especially when it reveals painful truths about how humans have treated one another. In the United States, the legacy of slavery and systemic racism is one such example. While some hold on this history as a lesson for progress, others resist, preferring to ignore or downplay it. But why is facing history so important?
The Weight of the Past
What a lot of Americans don't want to see and accept is that slavery and racial discrimination left deep scars on American society. These injustices didn’t vanish after the Civil War or the Civil Rights Movement. Their effects are still felt today in areas like wealth inequality, access to education, and criminal justice. Acknowledging this history isn’t about assigning guilt to current generations. It’s about understanding how the past shapes the present and working toward a better future.
Why Some Resist
Confronting history can be uncomfortable. And slavery in America is a difficult legacy to bear. It forces this society to admit past wrongs and reconsider national identities built on selective stories. By this I mean, misinformation and half truths.
A classic example is the narrative that "some slave owners were kind to their slaves" or that "some slaves were treated like family."
This is a half-truth because while it might be technically true that some enslavers provided better living conditions than others, it hides the brutal reality that:
Even "kind" treatment was still within a system of complete ownership of human beings
Any "kindness" could be withdrawn at any time
Children could still be sold away from their parents
Enslaved people had no legal rights or autonomy
The "family-like" relationship was still one of ownership and control
"Good treatment" was often used to justify the continuation of slavery
This kind of half-truth is particularly hurtful because it's still used today to minimize the brutality of slavery and suggest it wasn't "that bad," when in reality, even the "best" conditions under slavery were still fundamentally inhumane and cruel.
Some fear that acknowledging historical injustices might create division or stir resentment. This discomfort has led to debates over school curriculums, the removal of controversial monuments, and even efforts to ban discussions on race and history in some regions. How is this going to help to heal? This is similar to when you know you've hurt someone you care about, but instead of apologizing and having an honest conversation about it you might say, "Let's not talk about that" or "That was in the past, why bring it up?". The discomfort and guilt make you want to pretend it never happened.
But we all know that avoiding a personal conflict only makes the relationship more strained and prevents real healing. And if there are children around, well they learn from watching adults handle conflicts. A society is like a child. It needs to learn from its mistakes. The only real way to do this is by taking responsibility and making amends. Society needs an honest engagement with history so future generations learn how to build a more just world.
The Power of Honest History
Ignoring history doesn’t make it disappear. In fact, it can deepen misunderstandings and prevent things from getting better. Honest storytelling helps people understand where societal challenges come from and how they can be addressed. History isn’t just about what happened—it's about how we choose to remember and learn from it.
Moving Forward Together
Reckoning with history isn’t about blame—it’s about growth. By learning from the past, we can create a more just and compassionate society. Facing history with honesty allows space for dialogue, empathy, and change. It’s not about dwelling on what went wrong, but about ensuring that future generations inherit a world built on truth and fairness.
History teaches us where we’ve been—but only if we’re willing to listen.
Thanks for reading. Abrazos.
Diego Rojas
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