To the editor:

The American Constitution begins by recognizing a historical record of flawed human behavior (e.g., kings generally and King George III in particular); progressing through a flawed present (e.g., retaining African slavery in Southern states); into a future in search of an ever “more perfect Union.” Thus, the Constitution moves forward by looking backward into history as the necessary guide toward progress.

Slavery, for example, part of the original Constitution, most of us agree was evil, and its eradication progress toward that more perfect union. Universal suffrage is also progressively good. And the same with National Parks, clean air and water, safe food and drugs, child labor laws, public schools, good roads. Each of these changes in our laws was preceded by something less good or even evil. And, in each case it was history that taught us our mistakes; knowing history enabled us to become better.

But there’s now an urge to erase history. Executive orders attack universities, limiting what historians are permitted to teach. Smithsonian exhibits and signs in National Parks are being whitewashed. Truth is shunned when the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics is fired for publishing a disappointing jobs report. None of this makes America great, let alone appear great. We’re concealing history, our mistakes, our failures and faults, but only from ourselves. Do you think the rest of the world is fooled?

We can’t need or want that. America doesn’t need a comb-over or makeup. Greatness is having the courage to face truth to better ourselves.

William Skepnek,

Lawrence