Uncovering the Truth About Our History

If you missed the first few blog posts, you can catch up at becomingantiracist.org. In those posts, we began to explore some of the assumptions about American values and history—particularly the idea of “Christian” values. Let’s dive deeper into the truth behind these narratives.

Many of us have been taught that America was founded as a haven for Christians, but that’s a simplified and inaccurate version of history. Many of the first European settlers were fleeing religious oppression under the Church of England, seeking freedom, not necessarily a Christian utopia. When the Pilgrims arrived, they weren’t landing on empty shores; people from Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean had already made their way here, not to mention the over 650 Indigenous tribes that had been thriving in the Western Hemisphere for generations.

Understanding these origins requires challenging the stories we’ve been told and embracing a fuller, more accurate history. For those ready to begin, I highly recommend Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning. It is an authoritative and brilliantly written account of the history of Black people in the Americas and a definitive exploration of racism. Additionally, explore the work of Ernest Crim III, an Emmy-nominated producer and educator, whose engaging and insightful content is available on Facebook at “mrcrim3.”

These are just a couple of the many resources available to expand our understanding of the true origins of this country and the diverse people who shaped it. Enlightenment through accurate history can begin the healing process for our nation.

For more, read my book:
Racism: Can We Listen, Learn, and Live Together?
And visit: becomingantiracist.org

Together, let’s uncover the truth and move toward a more equitable future.

Sincerely,
Dr. Gordon Griffin