Achebe is absolutely correct. When we look at what white invaders and consequent colonizers wrote about Africans and other indigenous peoples, it was not a glorious narrative. Africans were quickly summarized as savages and uncivilized in the 19^th century by both European colonizers and writers.

The same philosophy permeated world history and non-white peoples have been trying to research, unearth, preserve and tell their own stories ever since.  And if those non-white, differently gendered peoples belong to other categories, they must rewrite their respective histories.

We just came out of Black History Month, and I always say that one month is only to bring attention to the achievements and stories discussed during the other eleven months. March is Women’s History Month, and the same rule applies. The month amplifies the historical contributions of women to U.S. society.

Then there’s Indigenous Peoples Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Pride Month. You get the picture: these histories are American history. That history is incomplete — and dishonest — without all the peoples’ contributions to the big, inclusive story of the United States, not just the sanitized version of HIS story.

That brings us to the actions of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other white men who are attempting to muzzle the history and current plight of disenfranchised sectors. Across the country, Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Black History are being banned from school curricula. Talking about gender pronouns is being criminalized. Shhh, don’t say gay!

Gender studies is now in the crosshairs for obliteration. If the Florida governor has his way, gender studies will be banned. Women’s contributions are not relevant in the future of this country. Disempowering this powerful group is necessary for the unfettered rise of authoritarianism in the U.S.

Truth and facts, no matter how ugly they are, are part of any story. Those who are (re)writing the story should be able to take the oath required by witnesses in U. S. courts. Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?

Politicians, social scientists, policy makers, media and other influencers are all on the rewrite team of U.S. history. They are skillful at spinning, falsifying and eliminating the truth. They are replacing past narratives with a new narrative that sounds real, even if it leaves out three fourths of the population. Convincing 74 million people that candidate trump deserved a second term as Commander-in-Chief was a piece of cake.

The handwriting on the wall has been made clear by the upholders of racism and patriarchy. The message seems to be that if you’re not white and male, no one needs to know your story of struggle to exist in a country intent on erasing or distorting your past and present. It is part of the GOP strategy to justify why it has the right to dominate the facts despite being a minority.

It’s time for us lions to come together, tell one another’s stories, and create a roar loud enough to drown out the lies and slander of those with schemes for total dominion.