Growing up, I often wondered if the people I learned about in history class recognized the historical significance of the time period they were living in. Did the people suffering through the Great Depression or the civil rights movement or the world wars realize that what was, to them, daily life would become a central lesson in American History classes decades later? Now, after living through a year seemingly determined to be the most significant in history, I know the answer.
There’s no question, with nationwide calls for police reform and abolition and a pandemic alongside a twice-impeached president and a coup attempt at the Capitol, this stretch of time will be covered by history books in detail. As I find myself on the other side of the history lesson, I now wonder: how will history remember this chaos? Will the curriculum be bold enough to admit America fell victim to a wannabe fascist leader? Will the Capitol insurrectionists be portrayed as traitors? Will Black Lives Matter organizers be remembered as heroes? Will the “defund the police” movement be to future generations what the civil rights movement is to us?
I want to hope the answer to these questions is yes, but the cynic in me is hesitant. History is subjective. Sure, it’s based on research and primary sources, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to spin. I’m sure if you look back on your history education, you’ll find it awash with American exceptionalism, and to say that America has been less than exceptional is an understatement.
Take, for example, the civil rights movement. While he was by no means the only civil rights leader of the time, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the one most closely associated with the era, especially in most American history classes. He’s remembered in death as a hero — rightfully so — but he was unfortunately not regarded with the same respect in life. In fact, a Harris poll taken in 1968 — the year he was assassinated — found that 75 percent of Americans disapproved of Dr. King. The man we revere today was hated by many Americans, so much so that it got him murdered.
Now that Dr. King is an American hero, those who were on the wrong side of history — the 75 percent — have been erased from the story. Their stance has been made historically insignificant because they were wrong. Amid the chaos and division we’re experiencing right now, I often hear the phrase, “Be on the right side of history.” The disappointing fact is this: everyday people who are on the wrong side of history will be forgotten. Their opposition to what is true and good will be erased from the retelling of our present, just like the 75 percent were. While they will be forgotten, however, they are still making their mark on the present, just like opponents of Dr. King did when they took his life. I have no doubt history will absolve Trump supporters and those who don’t support Black Lives Matter of their wrongdoings by forgetting about them. But they’re having an impact now. They are slowing the pace of change, and the longer change takes, the more people are going to die.
Instead of being on the right side of history, be on the right side of the present. Pay attention to what is happening right now, think critically about what you see on the news or hear from politicians, listen to and value the modern-day Dr. Kings before they’re martyred. Be the 25 percent. And most importantly, know your values and know what it takes to honor them. If you don’t think police should be killing Black people or violently suppressing the right to protest, then what practically needs to happen to ensure their lives are protected? (Hint: if you’re not Black, you need to listen to what Black community leaders and grassroots organizers are suggesting and support it.)
In honor of Black History Month, which for those who don’t know is February, consider the history that paints the backdrop of the America we see today. We aren’t living in a vacuum. Police brutality and white supremacy aren’t new occurrences — organizers like the Black Panthers were fighting against both during the civil rights era and are still labeled terrorists for it. Donald Trump and his ardent supporters aren’t a blip in an otherwise beautiful history. Learn the lessons we’ve been taught by the mistakes of our ancestors and actively work to be better and make our history one to be proud of.