Mike Quigley: “A century ago, the philosopher George Santayana wrote that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat…”

“A century ago, the philosopher George Santayana wrote that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Today, in America, we are faced with this very dilemma. We have seen attempts by the ultraconservatives to rewrite history and cater to those uncomfortable with an evolving world, uncomfortable with our country's original sin. In these cases, it is no longer a matter of forgetfulness but a deliberate effort to ignore the past or alter it to suit their own political gain. If we allow this altering to take hold, are we not doomed in our pursuit of a more perfect Union? It is part of the overall goal of the former President and the MAGA movement. This movement rejects the idea that history is complex and, in the process, casts aside efforts to reckon with it. Former President Trump and his followers prefer to simplify things for an audience afraid of a changing world. In so doing, Trump and his loyal followers refuse to accept the existence of complexities and contradictions in our shared story. It is why Donald Trump so staunchly defended Robert E. Lee, not because Trump has a grasp on history but because Lee represents a vision of the past some would like to reclaim. They would rather paint a vision of our story unsullied by racism, suppression of women's rights, or violence against indigenous people. Even the definition of patriotism has been corrupted. Patriotism isn't about ignoring the realities of our wrongs.…”