Letter to the editor: Support for BLM and LGBTQ+ flags in our schools

Posted

This isn’t a comfortable conversation for me and I know that it’s definitely not comfortable for many others. But you should all know that I, as a Black mom, feel lucky to be living here. I just happen by accident to be an example of the change that inspires the discussion underway today.

I am a longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest, I was born here and lived nearly all of my life here, and raised my children here in Ridgefield.

When I have to teach my children the history of the United States, I have to start with something that’s also uncomfortable. I have to start with a story about a loss of dignity, a loss of freedom, and the ugliness that’s embedded in the start of our country. I have to teach my kids that for most of this country’s life, the lives of our grandfathers and mothers didn’t matter much. They had no say, they were beaten and tortured, denied education, and had to accept that the promise given by our founding declaration of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” was never meant for them or their children.

A political movement has grown recently with a decent proposition. That the injustice they faced isn’t the final word. That I matter. That my children matter. That we haven’t just earned the benefit of our nation’s doubt but the benefit of its ideals.



It’s difficult for me to hear that the expression of that idea is not related to the content of historical education. It’s the history my family has to know in order to guarantee our survival when we’re traveling in America. It’s not just related to history. It’s relevant. Because we can read from the long list of Americans in the 21st century for whom the lack of mattering has meant their lives.

Banning an expression of freedom is not the same as banning the expression of political policy. The only agenda represented by these symbols is the agenda that’s always been a part of America. That we have earned our freedom. That we have earned recognition.

And our country, our educators and our children are strong enough to handle their presence and the discussion they inspire. I believe in America and our community, and this is one way to show we still live up to its promise.