This isn't racism. This is history! It should never be hidden!

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I do favor a certain degree of political correctness when it comes to personal interactions among strangers or addressing large groups of people. It is more polite to avoid controversy where none is needed. However, when it comes to education, especially in the teaching of the history of minorities and the discriminatory behaviors that were once condoned in this country through both written and unwritten statutes, there can be NO pussyfooting. The truth is ugly and needs to be presented in full. A Michigan history teacher believed just that last year when he wanted to demonstrate the difference in treatment of blacks in entertainment in the past when compared to today. To that end, he showed a film of variety acts being performed in blackface. There was a time in this country when blacks were not considered worthy of taking center stage or, on the rare occasion that they did, being compensated equally to whites doing the same thing. When blacks had entertainment routines, music and/or characteristics that whites enjoyed, rather than allow blacks to perform (or because white audiences wouldn't attend), white entertainers applied black makeup that exaggerated facial features considered to be "black" and performed those things themselves. While any legitimate white entertainer attempting to perform today in such a manner would be behaving heinously, showing scenes of those who had performed this way in the past DURING a history class on that time in our history should NEVER be considered wrong (provided the instructor isn't supporting the behavior or allowing students to mock people of color while watching). However, someone got their panties in a bunch when Alan Barron showed his class a film on white entertainers wearing black face after discussing Jim Crow laws with the class. Instead of understanding that this was an important part of the educational process, someone complained and Mr. Barron was suspended. Not only that, but because of his suspension, he's not even allowed to attend a retirement banquet or any other district functions! The man was doing his job. Racism is a part of history. He was teaching history and about black history in the US. How is this NOT part of his job? Fortunately, saner heads prevailed and by the end of the day on June 1, Mr. Barron was reinstated to his position. But, this kind of reactionary myopia cannot be allowed to continue. We cannot change the past. But, if we hide from it, how can we learn to prevent repeating it? Can keeping your children from learning from history really help them for the future? The original news article: