There is no 'commonwealth' in Kentucky without truth. Why we must teach the truth | Opinion

Hiding the whole truth about race in America, as Kentucky bills HR 14 and 18 propose, may make some constituents feel more comfortable in the short term, but is contrary to the faithful work of love. For HR 14 and 18 reject the whole truth and nothing but the truth about our American history and propose to substitute half-truths and edited facts. This is a formula for educational and cultural disaster and should be opposed by every faithful Kentuckian.

Truthfulness is central to the message of all faith. Trust the truth. Tell the truth. Abide in truth.

That’s why four of The 10 Commandments that we teach to our children focus on truthfulness — don’t commit adultery, steal, lie or covet other’s possessions — live in truth.

“The truth will make you free” said Jesus, which is more than religious talk, it’s how life works. When we trust the whole truth and live in honesty, we are less afraid and so able to live in harmony with glad and generous hearts.

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Unfortunately, HR 14 and 18 would restrict Kentucky teachers from presenting American history facts about slavery and Jim Crow that might make some White students feel “uncomfortable.” Omit the graphic stories. Ignore new information, like yesterday’s Wall Street Journal report listing the 1,700 elected national leaders who were slaveholders, along with the legislation they passed.

Proponents of HR 14 and 18 remind me of the cautious church layperson who opined during a contentious discussion, “I think we should just forget about it. And if it comes up again, we should just forget about it again.”

Sadly, life doesn’t work that way. A therapist working with Western Kentucky’s tornado survivors explained earlier this week, “the more you can talk about a traumatic experience, the less power it will have over you.”

HR 14 and 18 reject this wisdom. Supporters of this legislation assume that learning does not include times of deconstruction, disorientation even discomfort.

In fact, real education requires courage to integrate deeper whole truths into our personal, lived experience so that the half-truths we live by can be recognized and reformed.

But rather than trust the whole truth, these bills legislate a cover-up; history half-told.

As a former slave lamented, “The half has never been told.”

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It was a book titled with this quote, The Half Has Never Been Told, that opened my eyes some years ago to the larger truth of the Black experience in America. More and more White Kentuckians are learning American history as if for the first time, connecting dots and hearing stories too long overlooked, ignored, or suppressed.

HR 14 and 18 put an end to this. They steer Kentucky schools in the wrong direction. Our commonwealth must teach the whole truth to our school children so that they, our future, will have a clearer sense of how we got where we are as a state, and how we might join hands to lift ourselves to higher ground. There is no “commonwealth” in Kentucky without truth.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable. It may be uncomfortable for a doctor to give us an honest diagnosis, but would we prefer half-truths in order to avert momentary discomfort?

Let us trust our students with the whole truth. Only then is it possible to address our commonwealth’s blind spots, which opens the door for healing and repair.

White Kentuckians may subconsciously fear that this needed healing and repairing will result in shifting and sharing and that there won’t be enough for everyone — a scary proposition.

As the Christmas angel said, don’t be afraid. Don’t fear the whole truth. And don’t fear sharing. A Benevolent Planner blesses the earth with an abundance — enough for everyone if only we will share.

Kentucky, let’s get in step with this sacred parade that trusts the whole truth. Reject HR 14 and 18. As the writer of The Battle Hymn of the Republic knew long ago: “His truth is marching on.”

Joe Phelps is Earth and Spirit Center’s Justice Coordinator and co-founder of EmpowerWest. He was a minister for 42 years including 21 years as Pastor of Louisville’s Highland Baptist Church.

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Why we must teach the truth | Opinion