At the end of World War II, the people, the culture, and the government of West Germany had the wisdom, the courage, the patriotism, and the morality to confront the truth about Germany during the Nazi era. They acknowledged the fact that under the Nazi regime, he German government, their culture, and even their people became permeated with evil. They acknowledged Germany’s responsibility for World War II and for atrocities committed in the name of Germany. IN their schools, they REQUIRED that the evils and damages of the Nazi era be taught, even though it made some people feel guilt or discomfort. They did that to make sure that the Nazi era would not be glorified or glossed over. It was the right thing to do to make sure that the German people would learn from the country’s mistakes and not repeat them.

Compare that with what is happening in too damned many of our American states today. Both state legislatures and local school boards are either demanding that nothing be taught which would make any child feel guilt or discomfort. In so doing they are acting in a most unpatriotic and immoral manner. Our country can get better and approach our democratic ideal only when it acknowledges the past actions of our culture and people which were wrong, immoral and hurtful to anyone or anyone, any ethic group, or proponents of any different belief which is simply different. We, the American people and nation can improve ourselves and our culture, and our nation only if we keep past and present wrongdoing and act decisively to make sure that we do not repeat or maintain these egregious mistakes.