We’ve already touched on the forces that led to the mindset of accepting slavery in the United States. These forces are evident in the historical record, and should be studied by those who wish to accept them or discredit them. What should be examined is how forces were put in motion even as our nation was initially being formed. Again, an honest study of our nation’s history reveals that these forces are what eventually led to the abolishment of slavery.
This honest study of history will reveal that we were not a nation who accepted slavery as an inevitable mainstay of American life, nor was it seen as a mainstay of economic success. History will also reveal that slavery was mainly accepted as a compromise needed to insure that the southern colonies would agree to join the union of “states” that would revolt against England. It was felt from the very beginning that this compromise would eventually enable the abolishment of slavery. “We fight not to enslave, but to set a country free, and to make room upon the earth for honest men to live in.” —Thomas Paine (1777)
This is why revisionist history can be a harmful endeavor. When the truth of history is not honestly examined, the lessons of history cannot be fully understood. If we accept revisionist history we are in danger of going down paths that risk skewing those forces that led us to today. These forces are a natural part of our growth and understanding. To revise the truth of our history is to deny ourselves of the truth of our present. We cannot better our society if we deny the forces that led us to today.
For example, the 1619 project is wrought with problems. For one, the project claims that our nation was borne as a result of slavery. It claims that since the first colony in America introduced slavery to this continent, all subsequent events are grounded in the idea and supposed benefits of slavery. When we base our study of history from that starting point we fail to understand how many forces were put in place throughout our history that enabled us to ultimately face and overcome the shame and horror of slavery.
Revising history in this way fails to recognize the contribution of the Constitution toward the slavery issue. The Constitution did not protect slavery, but rather was designed to make it possible for the emancipation of slaves. By attempting to rewrite history we are in danger of creating a past that does not move us to a better future.