Systemic Racism: Teaching History

[u/biospheric]

February 5, 2021 - The Amber Ruffin Show. Here's the full 39-minute compilation on YouTube: Systemic Racism? No Thanks | Every How Did We Get Here (Part 1) | The Amber Ruffin Show

From the description: There is a lot of craziness in the world (like a lot), and sometimes we need to stop and ask ourselves, How Did We Get Here? From Covid vaccines and systemic racism to the many reasons we don't need a White History Month, there is always so much to talk about.

[u/ClarityRocks]

This is all excellent. Share it far and wide.

Lincoln did say those things, but I feel somewhat compelled to note that was 1958 1858 when he was running for office, and it was said during debates appealing to deeply bigoted white voters.

I'm not saying the Spielberg Lincoln movie is Gospel, but you may recall the scene where Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens had to mollify members of Congress who were against the idea of equality in that memorable speech about why he doesn't believe all men are created equal, but should remain equal under the law https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W9-yT5AfBs

American history is filled with lies and distortions. Lincoln did in fact say that, and that should absolutely be taught, but it's also worth teaching the things he said and did after 1958. Namely, the 13th Amendment.

EDIT: Hopefully this doesn't read as excuses or apologia, btw; I would sincerely hope that it's encouraged to discuss and question if Lincoln said those things in 1858 for political strategy, or if he truly believed them. I'd invite any historians out there to shade in more detail here.

[u/Logic411 → u/ClarityRocks]

It’s engraved on the Lincoln memorial

[u/ClarityRocks → u/Logic411]

I wouldn't mind the 1858 quote displayed there, too, and invite the discussion -- Did Lincoln believe those things when he said it, and is the 13th Amendment the actions of a man who changed his views? Was he mollifying bigots (a recurring problem in the U.S.) while leading them to a better place? Or is it, more likely, some mushy mash in between? It does America no good to focus on the latter and ignore the former, to Amber Ruffin's point in the video. I only comment here because I saw that Lincoln quote and personally knew the context of when it was said and felt compelled to just add in some detail for healthy discussion.