The mid sixties were filled with many black protests against the racial injustices of whites upon blacks in law enforcement, justice, black voting rights, and the lack of racial equality in all phases of American life. Civil rights for all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin, came to a literal head crushing crescendo when this first protest demonstration crossed over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, March 7, 1965. This brutally disrupted march from from Selma to Montgomery was led by John Lewis and is known as “Bloody Sunday,” because the demonstrators were severely beaten and arrested while our nation watched horrified on national TV. These courageous demonstrators crossed the troopers line that day. And we the people (of all colors) reap the benefits of their sacrifice.

The political right (Republicans mostly) would like to downplay this happening (as they are presently doing about the January 6th Capitol insurrection) so that they can nullify CRT (critical race theories) being taught in our American schools. American’s Republican governors have already passed many voter suppression laws that adversely affect the ability of blacks, in particular, to vote. It’s no different than the Jim Crow laws of the past. Just a different label–same packaging. Life is better lived knowing our nation’s past mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. Educating with half-truths of the past isn’t helping our youths to become critical thinkers in the future.

Whites have to realize the wrongs they’ve done to blacks and blacks must, in time, forgive the whites their wrongs, if we are to make any progress towards equality of the races in this nation particularly. In Shading the Truth the little white girl is pulling down a shade to cover-up the intense hatred exhibited in the past of whites on blacks. She’s, basically, attempting to close this ugly chapter in American history, (without ever being exposed to it through education?, as many Republicans want, for fear of dividing our nation further–so they maintain).

But, unfortunately, nothing is as easy as it seems. This cloth shade isn’t totally opaque. It’s translucent. Therefore, hurtful memories and prejudices still remain like a smoldering fire to show through as a faded silhouette. I give a comparison to a Christian. He or she’s baptized for the remission of their sins. And although their old self has been slain, it can still rise up to rear it’s ugly head at a moment’s notice.

Critical Race Theory isn’t so much about pointing the finger at who’s to blame for the racial unrest in our nation. It’s more than knowing and just not forgetting about what brought us to this point, It’s about not dwelling on it so that we can go forward together to solve our differences. Republicans (mostly) demand that our schools not teach CRT to our children. Not teaching CRT seems to me to be furthering the cause for white supremacy.

Republicans can attempt to hold onto their precious power for dear life, but God didn’t create an advanced race of people to rule this Earth. God choose the Hebrews to be an example to the world on how to live righteously–not to lord it over anyone else. And certainly not to rule the world. Even Christ came, not to conquer the world, but to save it from itself. And HE chose a powerless exit by not having 10, 000 angels come rescue Him from His dreaded crucifixion.