History Revisionists Don’t Want You to Find Out About Their Ancestors Crimes Against Humanity
As we delve deeper into our past, we often discover shocking truths about the atrocities committed by our ancestors. Unfortunately, there are those who aim to revise history and whitewash the crimes against humanity committed by their forefathers. These revisionists are often driven by a desire to maintain a sense of national pride or to protect the reputation of their political or religious leaders.
One such example is the revisionism surrounding colonialism. Many histories of colonialism paint a picture of benevolent European powers spreading Christianity and civilization to the “uncivilized” masses of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In reality, however, colonialism was a violent and exploitative system that sought to strip native peoples of their land, resources, and culture. The practice of slavery was integral to colonialism, with millions of African men, women, and children forcibly taken from their homes and shipped across the Atlantic to work on plantations and mines in the Americas.
Many revisionists argue that the benefits of colonialism – such as improved infrastructure and education – outweighed the harm done to native populations. However, this argument ignores the fact that colonial powers were not interested in improving the lives of their subjects. Rather, they were focused on maximizing profits and maintaining control over their colonies.
Another example of historical revisionism is the denial of the Holocaust. Despite overwhelming evidence of the murder of six million Jews, as well as millions of others including Roma, LGBTQ+ people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents, there are those who claim that the Holocaust never happened or that it was greatly exaggerated. This denial of the Holocaust is not only insulting to the millions who lost their lives and the survivors who suffered unspeakable horrors, but it also ignores the anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideologies that led to the genocide.
In recent years, there has also been a rise in the revisionism surrounding the history of slavery in the United States. Some argue that slavery was not as bad as it is made out to be, or that it was not responsible for the economic success of the country. Others suggest that enslaved individuals were well-treated and that they even had good relationships with their owners. These arguments are not only historically inaccurate but also serve to perpetuate the racist narratives that have been used to justify the oppression of Black people in the United States for centuries.
It is essential that we confront the ugly truths of our past. By acknowledging the wrongs committed by our ancestors, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable society. We must not allow revisionists to whitewash the crimes against humanity committed by those who came before us – the truth, no matter how painful it may be, must be told.