The History We Are Writing Poem by Jim Yerman

THE HISTORY WE ARE WRITING

The history of America…if America it going to last
must be told in chapters that include true stories of our past.

Each chapter must be fair and honest when retelling our history
containing stories of our joys and triumphs
while pointing out our mistakes and inhumanities.

Our history should be truthful and impartial with each chapter it addresses….
because we learn more from our mistakes then we do from our successes.

We should read chapters about people who didn't look like us
who we never tried to understand….
who we wanted to eradicate…from the surface of this land.

We should read chapters about people who were enslaved…
how babies were stripped from their parents's arms
without thinking of the the consequences and the everlasting harm.

We should read chapters about how ignorance and fear can act like a disease…
causing us to treat our friends and neighbors…like villains and enemies.

So I come to this Independence Day with mixed emotions…
in the 247 years since it was born…
America's triumphs I will celebrate….
while our inhumanities I will mourn.

I hope and pray when we look at our true history
our triumphs and inhumanities we will always be highlighting…
that we find our inhumanities as appalling
as we find our victories exciting.

For that is the only way our country has a hope of one day coming together…of uniting…
The only way to change the course
of the history…we are writing