#whitewashinghistory

[alainamama17]

Pete Hegseth's Campaign to Rewrite Military History: Confederate Names and Minority Erasure

Under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Department of Defense has undertaken a controversial campaign to reshape the narrative of U.S. military history. This includes the restoration of Confederate-linked names for military bases and the erasure of minority contributions, actions that have sparked widespread criticism and concern.

Restoration of Confederate Names

One of the most contentious aspects of Hegseth's tenure has been the reversal of efforts to rename military bases that previously honored Confederate figures. These bases had been renamed under a congressionally mandated commission to reflect values of unity and inclusion. However, Hegseth has championed the restoration of their original names, arguing that these names are part of historical tradition.

For example:

Fort Bragg, North Carolina: Originally named after Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general and slave owner widely regarded as one of the least effective generals of the Civil War. Bragg's military failures and staunch support for the Confederacy make his commemoration deeply controversial.

Fort Benning, Georgia: Named after Henry L. Benning, a Confederate brigadier general and vocal advocate for slavery. Benning's speeches at the Virginia secession convention in 1861 explicitly warned against racial equality, making his legacy a symbol of white supremacy.

These restorations have reignited debates about the appropriateness of honoring figures who fought against the United States to preserve slavery. Critics argue that these actions perpetuate a legacy of division and racism, undermining efforts to foster inclusivity within the military.

Erasure of Minority History

Hegseth's directive to purge Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) content from military archives has led to the removal of webpages and materials celebrating the achievements of women, people of color, and other marginalized groups. Arlington National Cemetery, one of the nation's most hallowed military sites, has been particularly affected by these actions.

At Arlington:

Removed Content: Links to webpages highlighting the contributions of Black, Hispanic, and female veterans have been unpublished. This includes biographies of figures like Gen. Colin Powell, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II.

Educational Materials: Lesson plans and walking tours that celebrated the diverse contributions of service members have been removed or made difficult to access. For example, materials on the United States Colored Troops (USCT), Black regiments that fought for the Union during the Civil War, have been drastically pared back.

Critics argue that these actions amount to a whitewashing of military history, diminishing the visibility of marginalized groups and their sacrifices. Arlington National Cemetery, which had expanded its historical accounts in recent years to reflect the diversity of those buried there, now faces accusations of erasing the very stories that make its grounds a powerful symbol of service and sacrifice.

Implications: Celebrating "Whiteness" Through Erasure

Hegseth's policies reflect a broader ideological agenda that prioritizes the celebration of "whiteness" by centering the contributions of white Americans while marginalizing or erasing the achievements of others. The restoration of Confederate-linked names for military bases glorifies figures who fought to uphold slavery, effectively elevating their legacy over the sacrifices of those who fought for equality and justice. Similarly, the removal of content celebrating minority contributions to military history diminishes the visibility of diverse narratives, reinforcing a narrow and exclusionary vision of American identity.

By erasing the stories of marginalized groups and reinstating symbols of white supremacy, these actions send a clear message about whose history is deemed worthy of preservation. This selective commemoration not only alienates communities of color but also impoverishes the collective understanding of America's complex and multifaceted history. In doing so, Hegseth's policies risk perpetuating a narrative that celebrates whiteness at the expense of inclusivity and truth.

[goku20193]

#WhiteBlackPanther #WhatIf #RaceSwapping #RaceSwapped #Whitewashinghistory #Blackwashinghistory #Blackwashing #Whitewashing #Blackwashed #Whitewashed #MarvelComics #TChad #TChalla #EndRacists #EndRacism #Equality https://www.instagram.com/p/CiwucHuONOmakvFqn0DlQWB6ged-6DBFCLaMmk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ritware1850]

Reposted @slyngstad_cartoons Literal whitewashing of history in the state of Florida as DeSantis blocks an AP African American History course from high school curriculums. • #africanamericanhistory #florida #rondesantis #desantis #whitewashinghistory #teachhistory #historylesson #history #paint #help https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9BU20Deur/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[davidwfloydart]

Word 🙌 Let’s white wash everything! This is happening more and more here in Tucson. Contractors buying these beautiful hundred year old homes, with tons of historic character, and gutting them, white washing everything. It’s criminal, or should be. #renovationproject #modernizing_homes #historichomes #interiortrends #whitewashinghistory (at Catalina Foothills, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnciQJuPaD8OvNtfIaujHdiBlYBuzXlALkiZ4c0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[educated-hebrew]

#blackfacts #blackhistory #blackhistoryfacts #blackpeoplewakeup #whitewashinghistory #whitepeoplebelike #wypipo https://www.instagram.com/p/BqX0qKsFRez/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1k8z5wh1nihnn

[originalgladiatorcollective]

Do I have a #definition for you! #criticalracetheory #whitewashinghistory #currentevents #systemicracism https://www.instagram.com/p/CXrwSNGpehz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mholquinn]

#MLK #BLACKLIVESMATTER #whitewashinghistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7DqpTAVa9/?igshid=1ciojwbkxtar7

[dominicanslovehaitians]

Hollywood continues to perpetuate myths and white wash history. Cleopatra was Egyptian look for an Egyptian actress aka a black woman. We must decolonize all our institutions and dismantling white supremacy and racialized views of our society. #reclaimingourstories #culturaleducation #dismantlewhitesupremacy #whitewashinghistory #racisthollywood #dominicanslovehaitian #ladygaga #angelinajolie @latimes @hollywoodreporter https://www.instagram.com/dominicanslovehaitiansmovement/p/BsqPyqAFwOM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n25oojwc8yr3

[bramstrokerxxx]

That is a funny way of looking at it... #whitewashing #whitewashinghistory #alternativefacts

[metalheadsagainstfascism]

When Tom Hanks found out about the Tulsa Massacre.

-fae

[thejudahite]

False images are lies that distort our viewpoint. What's is beauty is not what they tell you it is. Blonde hair Blue Eyes. #MalenainMatters #LoveSelf #RealHistory #VisualizeTruth #ExposeTheLie #WhiteWashing #WhiteWashingHistory #StandWithTheFacts

[bigchapp1006]

#indigenouspeoplesday #whitewashinghistory

[historysisco]

This is something that has been gnawing at me now for a bit and has only been made worse by the tearing down of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. In no way am I advocating or condoning the acts and political reasons of the Confederacy but it seems hypocritical that monuments to Robert E. Lee and others in New Orleans are taken down while monuments to Andrew Jackson (Trail of Tears), Thomas Jefferson and George Washington (slave owners) are left up. Should it be all or nothing? Granted that the monuments that were removed in New Orleans reflected a negative time in this country's history but I believe removing them without the education and History behind it defeats the purpose. We need to continually educate our children the History of this country so they know why things were and why it seems things are still the way they are. We are doomed to repeat the mistakes of History, especially so if we sterilize and whitewash History. The same way we can't blot out the sun with a finger, we can't make our History nice-a-nice. History is ugly, in your face for good or bad and should never be forgotten or ignored. Any thoughts? If so, then let's have a spirited but respectful debate. #HistoryIsUgly #HistoryisReal #WhitewashingHistory #SterilizingHistory #History #Historia #Histoire #HistorySisco

[agentskyhouse]

More work from #indigenous #intersectionalfeminism writer Marilou Awiakta, whom I am enjoying so much during #womensmonth #strongresilientindigenous #whitewashing #whitewashinghistory (at THE WAREHOUSE CAFE)

[mholquinn]

#stillpeaceful #stillpeacefulthough #therefixedit #BlackLivesMatter #georgefloyd #whitewashinghistory #whitewashing https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3eD5vgdIA/?igshid=4id4qiu1238h

[vlemx]

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A post shared by Vincent Vlemx (@vlemx2)

@prilaga #whitewashsanddunes #whitewashedfloors #whitewashsurf #whitewashfloors #whitewashedoak #whitewashedhistory #prilaga #whitewashwood #whitewash #whitewashedmedia #whitewashwalls #whitewashfireplace #whitewashedwood #whitewashmagazine #whitewashed #whitewashedbrick #whitewashlabsuk #whitewashedwednesday #whitewashedfurniture #whitewashedwalls #whitewashedtattoo #whitewashlabolatories #whitewashlabs #whitewashfurniture #whitewashedout #whitewashbrick #whitewashwednesday #whitewashedfireplace #whitewashing #whitewashinghistory #whitewashedcottage https://www.instagram.com/p/Bve-S7QhNqM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xc8okehfmxiz