What’s in a Name?
I’m always in awe as I listen to people introduce themselves with a name that I have either never heard or I’m politely told how to pronounce it.
This morning I watched “Gramps Morgan – People Like You (Official Music Video)” on YouTube. It was another name that I had never heard.
Less than two weeks ago I was in Hot Springs, Arkansas preparing to have lunch with a few of my Army comrades in arms. To cross the street after parking the car, the driver made a comment to me. “I’m surprised this statue is still standing.”
Little did I know, what I was looking at it was the “Hot springs Confederate Monument.” It was properly positioned in a specific part of Hot Springs, AR.
Nevertheless, because I knew where I was at, and I knew why it was still standing. It was my own history lesson having been there for three days as a reminder how far I’ve come as a person of faith, before departing Hot Springs, AR.
I’m grateful for the reminder, because I could move past what I saw with my own eyes. I had learned about the long-standing history of being a Confederate state.
Confederate States of America | History, President, Map, Facts, & Flag | Britannica
For the record, I have not ax to grind seeing the “Hot springs confederate monument” still intact.
I only bring this to your attention because Hot Springs, AR will always be Hot Springs, AR for the families that grew up in that environment.
Hot Springs confederate rally draws attention, counter-demonstrators | thv11.com
On the other hand, I grew up in a military environment supporting the Constitution of the United States and taking an oath of obligation to nation.
I’ve taken the oath several times each time I reenlisted and when I joined the team as a Department of Defense (DoD) employee.
Therefore, when I heard we had those that served in the military that stormed the Nation’s Capital on January 6, 2021, it was with a heavy heart knowing they made that decision.
It goes against the very fabric of what I learned well over 48 years ago.
Why the military should educate its members about the Constitution (militarytimes.com)
As I continue to stay connected with the military, I knew last April that a date and decision was in the making for a name change at Fort Bragg and many other installations with Confederate history.
During my 44 years in and out of uniform, changing a Fort’s name was not something spoken, however probably on the minds of many.
This past week a place where I embraced leadership as both a First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major transforming lives of soldiers, Fort Bragg is now Fort Liberty.
As a person of color this is a monumental step in the right direction in the name of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This is history, which our young soldiers probably haven’t comprehended, because they haven’t lived through the civil rights era or were not affected by DEI.
“Fort Bragg shed its Confederate namesake Friday to become Fort Liberty in a ceremony some veterans said was a small but important step in making the U.S. Army more welcoming to current and prospective Black service members.”
“The change was part of a broad Department of Defense initiative, motivated by the 2020 George Floyd protests, to rename military installations that had been named after Confederate soldiers.”
Fort Bragg no more: Army base drops its Confederate namesake and becomes Fort Liberty (msn.com)
Change is inevitable. Whether we want it to happen or not, change is the only constant in life.
“We have two choices: continue resisting it or learn to embrace change.
I’ve learned through experience that resisting change is an exercise in futility.”
When a Major Life Change Upends Your Sense of Self (hbr.org)
I have also learned that we must embrace change regardless, because sometimes we are not in charge, and we must remember the oath we have taken to defend this great nation.
Therefore, I offer you the definition of empathy as you may not have walked in my shoes.
Empathy 101: 3+ Examples and Psychology Definitions (positivepsychology.com)
“Empathy is a complex psychological process that allows us to form bonds with other people. Through empathy, we cry when our friends go through hard times, celebrate their successes, and rage during their times of hardship. Empathy also allows us to feel guilt, shame, and embarrassment, as well as understand jokes and sarcasm.”
To ensure you have a better understanding of the word “Empathy” take a moment and study the words.
Empathy is a Noun. Meaning understanding a person from his or her frame of reference rather than one’s own, or vicariously experiencing that person’s feelings, perceptions, and thoughts. Empathy does not, of itself, entail motivation to be of assistance, although it may turn into sympathy or personal distress, which may result in action. In psychotherapy, therapist empathy for the client can be a path to comprehension of the client’s cognitions, affects, motivations, or behaviors.
In the words of the late Jack Welch- “Change before you have to.”
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.” -Oprah Winfrey
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” -Albert Einstein
I wonder…if I burn archives, change names, rewrite history, tear down monuments, and invoke a universal gag order, will this mean it NEVER happened? I am not always ready to embrace change. Maybe I am a dinosaur; maybe I’m crusty like that 😊. In my opinion certain types of ‘Change’ can be more problematic, chaotic, costly, and when it comes to the process of course correcting confederate history -with all due respect-, it’s rather deceitful. DON’T ZONE OUT yet…my opinion IS NOT a political stance nor meant to be insensitive to the horrors of racism associated with the Southern-Pride flag; it’s a matter of truth, facts, undiluted history, and the road to change. The fact is history is history and it did happen. The Nazis’ world domination military efforts and attempts to eradicate all Jews happened. The Japanese invasions and its atrocities; Cambodia (The Khmere Rouge), Viet Nam, Rwandan, Qing Dynasty, Bangladesh, the Conquistadores (Spaniards), Assyrians, and countless other acts of ethnic genocides around the world -happened. Right now, the Soviets are still fixated on liquidating Ukrainians by overtly committing crimes against the old/young men, old/young/ pregnant women, children, babies, pets -this is still happening. Then behind all the good, conveniences, and wonders of the world lies the ugly truth that the pyramids, Machu Picchu, and the Great Wall of China, for instance, were built by slaves (black, white, brown, red, men, women, children, etc.). Let us not forget the little matter concerning American Indigenous extermination – if you have time, check out the Sand Creek Massacre 1864 -yes, that happened too. So, I wonder… shall we line-through this type of American history too?
Sadly, integrity and fidelity are not synonymous with History. Right now, my experience in reading or studying historical events causes me to proceed with caution. I prefer facts, facts, and nothing but the facts -allowing for the reader to verify -as required- and to draw his or her own conclusions. Case in point, in helping a student write a report on Erwin Rommel -the Desert Fox-, we found major discrepancies in 3 academic history books found in a department of defense school (DODS)library. Accordingly, Rommel died in jail; was hung; and was poisoned. So, I advised the student to change his presentation from biographical to a literal critic (he got his first ‘A’ ever). Bottomline for me, History should be a faithful account that marks the pace towards “change”. I want history to help me understand why that happened and how we became who we are today. Let me decide and/or choose; let me develop a perspective of how much more -I- need to change. Right now, all the name changes and tear downs are costing SOMEONE lots of money and the price of confederate symbols are now being auctioned like a Rembrandt artifact. For me, the “explicit just-cause-posturing” feels like we are trying to correct the past by boiling down the facts into a ‘soft’ collection of ‘happy-ever-after’ fairy tales.
Again, I am very mindful of the potential audience reading this post, and how my thoughts concerning “the tear down of historical artifacts” may cause ripples – I don’t mean to offend anyone. So let me tell you something about my perspectives: at the age of 15, I was homeless, and I learned my first quote: “Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it” (George Santayana). These where not Santayana’s exact words but this was how it was presented to me. The impact of these words helped me see a tight path into future. The words prompted me to learn fast, to seek to understand, decide to face down the situation, and then apply knowledge gained despite being afraid. I did it afraid because I believe that to know History is to have a fighting chance and a reason to change attitudes, behaviors, mindsets, beliefs, gain courage, and even stop generational trauma. I loved the video song attached to Mckinley’s Blog! To be in that place, I believe knowing true history can certainly lead to a conscientious tomorrow for “people like you”.
Thank you for reading my post…I appreciated your time.
Francis,
You genuinely understand history, and it shows through your passion for stating the obvious facts. I am honored by your insights, as you have given me something to reflect on. The world is changing before our eyes, and we must take notice. The sad part is the experiences that you and I have are twisted by news media and others for personal gain.
Thanks again for sharing such information with me.
McKinley