Britten: History must be accurately remembered and taught

Before anybody feels inclined to consider me a Democrat, Republican, or any other political affiliation, I must note that I am not rank and file with either predominant party. I typically style myself an independent with certain conservative opinions and certain other less than conservative opinions. One thing that I have always admitted to being is a lover of history. I have no college degree in history, I am not a member of any official circle of historians, but there are instances of historical inaccuracy that even a layperson such as myself can easily identify.

For years, prominent Republican minds across the country have lamented the removal of certain statues and monuments from public areas, citing their concern over our nation censoring history. This concern is repeated every time the topic of appropriate historical statuary is brought to the table for discussion. Referencing the Republican Party's supposedly noted concern with the misrepresentation or erasure of history, I was certain that the rumors I heard regarding the terminology being considered for use in history textbooks in the Lone Star State must merely be slander.

Far be it from me, a simple independent (or swing, if you prefer) voter from Texas, to doubt the sincerity of an organization with the clout of the Grand Old Party, especially remembering the legacy of the first Republican president. Surely the ‘Party of Lincoln,’ the Great Emancipator himself, would not have the audacity to allow the textbooks provided to the impressionable children of Texas to contain such a flagrant misrepresentation.

To now see articles released by publications spanning the full spectrum of political slants confirming that the Texas Board of Education was considering for a time teaching second graders that slavery, one of the darkest institutions in Western History, was simply a matter of "involuntary relocation" is heartbreaking. Any amount of time actively considering such a farce would be and should be considered a heinous mockery of justice. If the Republican Party truly cares about maintaining historical accuracy, as so many in the party continue to claim, then surely the duly elected leaders of said party will waste no time in publicly denouncing even the consideration of such obvious white washing. To not do so would be akin to not only spitting on the grave of Abraham Lincoln, but also (and more importantly) actively insulting those humans who were emancipated following the Civil War and passage of the 13th Amendment of our Constitution (and every one of their descendants past, present, and future).

Certainly Texas, Bastion of Conservative Values, and its Republican politicians would not be caught dead insulting the vast number of American citizens, soldiers, police, teachers, farmers, medical professionals, lawyers, laborers, etc., etc., et-freaking-cetera, by allowing such a motion to gain any semblance of momentum.

I look forward to hearing continued denunciation of such considerations through every possible outlet by every single leader in the Texas State government in the near future. I pray for the safety and health of our leaders on both sides of the political aisle; I pray for the health of the mind, heart, and soul of our Lone Star State; and I humbly ask anybody with the legal right to vote to do so this fall to the best of their conscience. Please be informed, show some empathy, and let’s continue to build a better nest like Mr. McConaughey suggested in his recent Independence Day message.

Trent Britten is a lifelong resident of the Texas Panhandle and is attending West Texas A&M University to earn his master’s in social work.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Trent Britten history must be accurately remembered and taught