Our History Can Not Be Erased: Three Generations & The Tuskegee Airmen.

Our History Can Not Be Erased: Three Generations & The Tuskegee Airmen.

Schools did not teach me history.

That was pablum propaganda.

My Father taught me actual, factual U.S. history.

And he made sure his grandchildren were taught the same.

So much so that he made sure that he took them to see where he came from. This took the form of a three generation trip to Sylacauga, AL with visits to historical sites in the surrounding areas. This was 2015. We had no idea when we were on this trip that we would lose my Father only four years later.

We gladly accommodated my Father’s request. In retrospect the urgency he had making sure we made this trek makes more sense. Perhaps he sensed something that I was nowhere near prepared for at that time.

A post cataloging this entire trip would be very lengthy. Every site we stopped at has stories to accompany it. There is the subtext on display—the public face of history. Then there is the actual story when you peel back the shiny veneer. My Father talked us through that expertly.

I may visit all of the stories in the future, but for this post, I will skim over the stops made and focus most on a visit to Tuskegee Airfield. I was inspired to write this post after reading that the Air Force has suspended teachings on them as they sort through the aftermath of the hateful scribblings of the convicted felon who has yet again ascended to the office of president.

There was the visit to his home town of Sylacauga,…

…including a dinner out with the family.

He showed us the High School he attended.

Then there was a visit to the caves my Father would pack a lunch and ride his bike there to explore them long before it became a tourist attraction it was when we visited.

We went to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute…

…which is right across the street from a scene of domestic terrorism on United States citizens by a United States based terrorist group on September 15, 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing…

…where four young innocent girls were killed.

We visited the site of Bloody Sunday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge…

…in Selma, AL.

We visited the George Washington Carver Museum on the campus of Tuskegee University.

Now to the site that is the main topic of this post, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.

Photos were a secondary consideration for this trip, but I am so glad I took them. I was able to document this pivotal moment in all of our lives. It centered us all. Which was a great help given what lay ahead. The elevation of a terrible man to a powerful office the very next year, which heralded an effort to return us all to the horrific times these historic sites outlined.

Given the recent news that courtesy of the pen strokes of the convicted felon in chief the Air Force has scrapped a course that used videos of Tuskegee Airmen and female WWII pilots. Surprising to some. Very on brand ‘murca for those who have been paying attention. This reminded me of my Father’s teaching. Which can be summed up simply by this sentence.

Never count on those who despise you to teach you history.

My paraphrasing of his mission and the very reason he took his grandchildren on this trip. Not only did he bring them to these sites. He also spoke with them at length throughout so that they understood where he came from. He shared the stories of what our ancestors endured, and what he endured himself in 1950s and 1960s Alabama. He did not sugarcoat proceedings.

This strengthened my children. This grounded them. It taught them not to simply accept the narratives thrown at us. As I stated in a recent social media post.

All of this is why I never allow those worshipping a history devoid of any scruples or morals to lecture me on the same. Take that hypocritical, murdering, land thieving, human trafficking, selective memory, and fairy tale derived nonsense elsewhere. Those long fed only a steady diet of chest pumping patriotic pablum propaganda sans any whiff of self examination and forget about critical thinking is exactly how we got here. And very much as planned. No conspiracy theories necessary. Blatant acts of wonton malice and malfeasance have been on display throughout to those with a clear mind and paying attention.

Bottom line. Educate yourself. Educate your own.

My Father was a great man.

This is all far from over. Take care of yourselves and those you love.

Though hope has taken a broadside hit it remains afloat and upright.

Happy capturing.

-ELW