Editor’s note: The Daily Signal’s audience was none too happy to learn that the National Archives sees “structural racism” in the nation’s founding. See what you think as we dip into this and other topics in the mailbag at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre
Dear Daily Signal: I am appalled after reading Jarrett Stepman’s commentary article about the National Archives’ wanting to replace the message and relics of our Founding Fathers and founding national documents (“Celebrating Founding Fathers Is ‘Structural Racism,’ National Archives Says”).
I am upset because once again we have a small group of people who want to disgrace our country and use the excuse of racism to divide us. I am upset because as a black person, I find it degrading that they won’t allow me to use my own judgment on the matter.
Our Founding Fathers, and the documents that they left us, are important to the history of our republic. They represent every American, regardless of ethnic background.
These documents should be looked upon as items of respect and dignity, and our Founders should be held in high regard as people who sought to share a vision of American unity for our citizens, both then and now.
There is no need for “safe spaces” at our national monuments or government buildings. What is needed is spaces for our students and others to learn the true history of our nation and its founding documents in our schools and libraries.
When citizens know the truth, they respect and revere our nation’s culture. The keepers of our founding documents and buildings should be held accountable to safeguard the American dream, not disrespect it.
We don’t need diversity, equity, and inclusion or any other form of critical race theory at these sites. What we need is instruction in the truth.—Emery McClendon, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Dear Daily Signal: Most well-educated and balanced people recognize that perspectives such as those Jarrett Stepman writes about at the National Archives are flawed, and at best the “opinion” of certain individuals. Fine. America is not a place where opinions are denied.
However, the National Archives is a federal entity supported by American taxpayers. If the National Archives wants to make these opinions a part of the public presentation, then they need to reconsider the treatment of the philosophies such as those advanced by Locke, Hobbs, and other thinkers that influenced the Age of Enlightenment and informed the intellectual thinkers who actually did influence America’s founding.
Since these “new thought” personalities imbued with their own ideas about history and philosophy seek to actually inculcate these views into a “new intellectual awareness,” a modicum of objective clarity would suggest the need also to include a balanced treatment of the religious thought characterizing those who formed the country—a mixture and spectrum of Christianity from Anglican to deists.
If they are unable to do this, then the federal government should withhold any financial support or implication that their thoughts are representative of American history or relevant philosophies.
Let’s stop acting like a bunch of stupid sheep considering a purchase of a sham. The old Brooklyn Bridge joke comes immediately to mind.—Norm Mayall, Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
Dear Daily Signal: Very good article by Jarrett Stepman on the National Archives. Man, are they dumb.
I worked at the Oregon State Archives for 24 years, retiring about 10 years ago. I appreciate this article for exposing what I think is traitorous behavior by those National Archives folks.
I pray they change their opinion regarding our great nation. Yes, we have done some evil things, but way more great things. Name me a nation whose history is perfect. God bless America.—David Wendell, Oregon
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Well-written article, but with disgusting information, from Jarrett Stepman. One of my greatest joys in raising our sons was taking them to historic sites and especially to Washington, D.C., to see the sights and reiterate what a unique, blessed history we have.
I used to look forward to taking my grandchildren on the same voyage of discovery. No more!—Fred Moss
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Please give us an address to protest this insanity at the National Archives! How much did this bull cost us?
Haven’t seen a report on this anywhere else. Thank you.—Margaret O’Leary
Editor’s note: Margaret, for contact information about the National Archives, click here.
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Critical race theory is everywhere. My son-in-law teaches at the University of Arkansas. In a recent conversation with my wife, he mentioned that after going to a seminar he has decided he is inherently biased.
By definition, it means he was born that way. Now this fellow is as Irish as the day is long. Anyone who knows anything about the history of the Irish people would know that the Irish were, for centuries, under the subjugation of the English, who considered the Irish to be subhuman.
So here you go: Here is a guy who has a Ph.D and Irish ancestry buying into this crap. God help the next generation. And God help the United States. We are in big trouble. Keep up the good work.—Robert H. Smith, Bonita Springs, Fla.
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If parents keep getting disrespected and their wishes aren’t known, then they should remove their children from public school for an alternative. Parents who send their kids to private school instead should send the bill to the local public school system.
For the parents, it looks like this is a no-win situation unless you rebel. I don’t think they have jail space enough for a whole community. It’s called standing up for your rights, and the federal government can’t really get involved in it.—E. Shea, Harriman, N.Y.
Speaking Up for Life on Campus
Dear Daily Signal: Regarding Chloe Folmar’s commentary “My Response to My Classmates Who Tried Canceling My Pro-Life Group”: I have been in this battle since 1986, when I asked a friend at a parish social what those “little feet” were on his lapel.
That was the moment when God touched me on the shoulder and said, “Come and follow Me because these are the most endangered of my creatures.”
I have used a talk show, letters to the editor, and speeches in an era less hostile than Chloe’s. I marched, said prayers, and wrote some more. But never have I experienced the anger and hatred of what her benighted classmates at the College of William & Mary have thrust upon Chloe.
She is a hero in my eyes and her classmates a tragic embarrassment to the school, in existence since 1696. Their forebearers lament in the grave what these minds of mush have done to their legacy. Keep fighting the good fight, Chloe. God is with you.—Bill Borst, St. Louis, Mo.
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Please don’t become discouraged by the cancel culture, Chloe Folmar. Their only argument is nothing!
To stop any discussion on any topic they choose, they must act like the ancillary arm of a totalitarian regime. And they foolishly think they have accomplished something.
It is hard for me to imagine such intellectual cowardice going on inside U.S. college classrooms. It is even harder to imagine faculty at U.S. colleges clamoring for less discussion and more conformity.—Tom Qualey, Jennings, La.
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Regarding Chloe Folmar’s commentary: Women turn to abortion for many reasons, but all of them point to “Me, myself, and I” solutions. Oh, there are arguments to be made: deformation of the fetus; the health (mental or physical) of the mother; too young, too old, too poor, too many other children. On and on.
Someone very close to me had an abortion in the 1960s. She was raped. She was 17 and had a mother who truly loved the Lord and served her church faithfully. The mother took her daughter and held counsel with five doctors; they all agreed that is was better to abort.
This same girl went on with her life, married, and had six beautiful children—all alive and well today. Was abortion the right thing to do? I cannot judge. That is up to God and the people making that decision.
In the same decade of the ’60’s, a young lady found herself pregnant and not married. She was a friend in my church. There was, no doubt, shame and hopelessness; abortion was not even considered.
However, the church was there for her. We loved her, gave her a baby shower, and encouraged the father and her to marry. She survived all this and today has more children.
I could go on and on, because today it is so common to abort a child that nobody even thinks twice. To me, it all comes back to “It’s all about me.” This attitude has brought us to the entitlement generation, moral decay, and total disregard for human life. Animals are protected better than humans.
Keep up the good fight, all of those working so hard to get the truth out. God bless you.—Lynette Ann Klein, Cedar Park, Texas
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I was married to a man who insisted that I get an abortion. I did not. And the marriage was gone.
Today, I am the mother of a beautiful, 50-year-old baby and the grandmother of a lovely, 15-year-old granddaughter. I never would have been able to love them as I do if I had done as he said.—Coleen O’Daniell
This and That
Dear Daily Signal: I grew up listening to my parents play the big band music of the 1930s and ’40s that was the subject of Michael Deviney’s commentary (“What the Music of World War II Has to Tell Us About Patriotism and Pop Culture”). Having learned of some of their experiences and sacrifices during the war, hearing that music today evokes patriotic pride and tears.
Mine is a military family. A father and four uncles served during World War II in the Army, Navy, and Marines. An in-law served during the Korean War (Air Force) and two cousins served during Vietnam (Army).
Seeing young people dance to that music today brings even more joy, though they probably can’t appreciate the historic significance. During Lent on Fridays, Mom would serve us kids a Depression-era meal she had frequently as a child—days-old bread dipped in ketchup, salt, pepper, and onions. It helped us appreciate the nutritious food we got every day.
Mom and some of our aunts were “Rosie the Riveters” at local factories.
When my wife was studying for her second master’s degree, she visited nursing homes; to get residents to open up, she played music from WWII. They brightened, smiled, and tapped their toes. I cherish all these memories.—Mike Major, South Bend, Ind.
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I must say I have never read a more encouraging article than Rob Bluey’s podcast interview with James E. Ward Jr. regarding his book “Zero Victim” (“A Pastor’s Prescription for Overcoming Victim Mentality”). I have had the same feelings about what is going on in our country, but could not come up with the eloquent words that Pastor Ward stated.
I pray his message reaches many, many people because I believe he has the answer to many of the problems we face. Thank you for sharing that discussion and putting forth the truth.—Carol A. McCue
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About Hans von Spakovsky’s commentary on the Justice Department lawsuit over commonsense precautions to help ensure safe elections for all (“Justice Department’s Lawsuit Against Georgia Is Completely Partisan”): What a shame that the Justice Department of the United States is calling others racist.
Shame on those who are turning the U.S. government into a divisive, name-calling institution that lines up with those who purposefully are trying to divide rather than unite and help the country.—Dan Evans
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Regarding Fred Lucas’s Daily Signal article on flying illegal immigrants to new locations (“4 Keys to Understanding How Illegal Immigrants Fly to New Homes in America”), my comment is: The practice of flying illegal immigrants to new locations throughout the United States simply reflects the fact that the U.S. no longer is a country of laws.—Jane S. Hettrick, Little Neck, N.Y.
The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.
