The National Park Service’s recent removal of transgender references from the Stonewall National Monument website is a deeply troubling development. The website now exclusively mentions lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, omitting any mention of transgender and queer people, a significant erasure of history. This change from LGBTQ+ to LGB is not merely a minor alteration; it’s a deliberate act of historical revisionism.
The updated website’s description of the Stonewall Uprising focuses solely on the pursuit of LGB civil rights, ignoring the crucial role played by transgender women and other marginalized groups in the events of 1969. This omission is particularly jarring given the documented experiences of transgender women and drag queens who faced arrest and violence during the raids that sparked the riots.… Continue reading
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski strongly criticized Karol Nawrocki, head of Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, for not responding to Elon Musk’s remarks at an AfD rally. Musk’s comments, minimizing German guilt and praising the AfD, were deemed by Trzaskowski as encouraging fascist policies. Trzaskowski accused the ruling PiS party of cowardice for their silence, highlighting the inappropriateness of this inaction during the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. He emphasized the importance of remembering history to prevent future atrocities.
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Russia issues a new school textbook that portrays its invasion of Ukraine as a forced action, a narrative that’s jarring in its audacity and chilling in its implications for the future. The textbook, intended for 15-year-olds studying Russian military history, frames the war as a necessary response to external pressures, effectively rewriting the narrative of a brutal and unprovoked aggression.
This blatant attempt to sanitize history is deeply troubling. The claim of being “forced” to invade, to commit acts of violence, torture, and destruction, is a grotesque distortion of reality. It’s akin to saying someone was forced to commit a domestic assault, a statement that ignores the agency and culpability of the perpetrator.… Continue reading
Following President Trump’s attempt to revise the narrative surrounding the January 6th Capitol attack, a Department of Justice database detailing the extensive criminal charges and convictions related to the event was removed from its website. This searchable database, cataloging the largest criminal investigation in modern DOJ history, disappeared concurrently with Trump’s pardons and efforts to dismiss cases. The removal, celebrated by those convicted, coincided with the silencing of related FBI information, including a “Most Wanted” list of Capitol rioters. While some information remains accessible through alternative sources like court records and press releases, thousands of pages from the database are now unavailable. The timing suggests a deliberate effort to obscure the scale of the January 6th attacks.
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Obeying a Trump order, the Air Force will cease teaching recruits about the Tuskegee Airmen. This decision has sparked outrage and accusations of racism, prompting widespread condemnation. The removal of this vital part of military history from the training curriculum is seen by many as a deliberate attempt to erase a significant contribution of African American servicemen to the nation’s defense.
The historical significance of the Tuskegee Airmen, their exceptional bravery and skill in combat, are undeniable. Their story is not simply about race, but about overcoming prejudice, achieving extraordinary feats, and demonstrating unparalleled courage in the face of adversity. Excluding their legacy from the Air Force’s training removes a powerful example of resilience and accomplishment, profoundly impacting the message conveyed to new recruits.… Continue reading
The European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s historical revisionism and disinformation campaign regarding its war in Ukraine. The resolution urges the EU to strengthen counter-disinformation efforts, including enhanced sanctions against Russian media outlets and increased support for independent Russian media. Furthermore, Parliament expressed serious concern over social media companies relaxing fact-checking policies, potentially exacerbating the spread of Russian propaganda. The resolution calls for stricter enforcement of the Digital Services Act to combat this threat.
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Representative Mike Johnson’s claim of reciting a daily prayer by Thomas Jefferson was demonstrably false, given Jefferson’s well-documented skepticism of organized religion. This falsehood, coupled with Johnson’s history of dishonesty, including his role in promoting election fraud claims, suggests a deliberate attempt to rewrite history. This action aligns with the broader strategy of Christian nationalists to reshape historical narratives to support their agenda, exemplified by figures like David Barton who actively promote misinformation. The normalization of such dishonesty within the Republican party, fueled by years of unchecked lying, erodes faith in truth and enables the spread of harmful falsehoods.
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Donald Trump’s rapid revision of the January 6th Capitol attack mirrors the decades-long Confederate narrative shift. Within four years, a deadly assault on American democracy became, for many, a peaceful protest against political persecution. This parallels the “Lost Cause” mythology surrounding the Civil War, where treason was recast as honor. Experts highlight the manipulation of facts and norms by bad-faith actors, enabling the acceptance of demonstrably false narratives. This swift rewriting of history demonstrates the power of repeated lies and unwavering loyalty within a political base.
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As a Virginian, I was stunned to hear the news that the Virginia Senate had passed a bill to strip Confederate organizations of tax breaks. My initial reaction was one of disbelief, followed by a sense of outrage. How is it possible that in 2024, Confederate organizations were still receiving tax breaks in the first place? It made me question the logic behind such a decision and the implications it carries.
The fact that Confederate organizations were benefiting from tax breaks is perplexing on many levels. These organizations represent a dark chapter in American history, one that is stained with division, hatred, and treason.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker