Letter: Don’t tear down history; use it to learn
Leave history alone. White washing history is a horrible idea. Renaming city streets or taking down statues is nothing more than a feel-good measure and does nothing to solve the problem of hate. In fact it only serves to create more.
Statues and street signs should be used to create conversation of history and what the issues of the past days were, and the problems that were going on that led up to the Civil War. While slavery was a part of the Civil War, it was not the only factor. States rights where at the forefront vs. a strong centralized government.
Use this time in our history to discus and educate your children on history, and not just social justice or political correctness. Remember: “Those who forget the past are doomed to relive it.”
Daniel Holliday, Pasco
This story was originally published August 21, 2017 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Letter: Don’t tear down history; use it to learn."