All posts by : Don Lichterman

In Defense of Diversity, Inclusion, and Historical Integrity

New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill has stepped into the political ring with an unwavering commitment to preserve the truths of American history against growing efforts to erase or distort it. As part of an ongoing battle over censorship and historical revisionism, Sherrill recently took a firm stand against former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, who she argues are working to erase important stories of diversity and inclusion from U.S. military and educational history.

In a powerful statement on the House floor, Sherrill called attention to a series of disturbing actions that have recently come to light, actions that she believes are part of a broader, troubling push to rewrite history in favor of a white Christian nationalist agenda. These actions include the removal of critical educational materials and historical references—materials that highlight the bravery and service of people of color, women, and other historically marginalized groups who have contributed immensely to the United States.

A Disturbing Attack on History: Censorship in the Navy and Beyond

One of the most alarming examples Sherrill cited was the removal of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from the library shelves at the U.S. Naval Academy. The autobiography of one of the most iconic Black women in American history—a woman whose story of overcoming adversity resonates with millions—was pulled off the shelves, while two copies of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf were left untouched.

Sherrill’s frustration is palpable, and for good reason. “Midshipmen can now read the anti-Semitic manifesto of one of history’s most evil men,” she noted, “but God forbid they read the autobiography of a Black woman recounting her lived experience.”

This decision, influenced by the orders of Secretary Hegseth, who previously attempted to erase a display recognizing Jewish women’s service before his visit, underscores a disturbing trend. For Sherrill, this isn’t just an isolated incident—it’s a part of a broader political and cultural assault on diversity, inclusion, and the recognition of marginalized communities’ contributions to this country.

The Whitewashing of Military History

But the censorship doesn’t stop with literature. According to Sherrill, the Department of Defense (DoD) has recently deleted thousands of pages from its website that chronicled the rich and diverse history of American military service. Among the erased materials were profiles of monumental figures like the Tuskegee Airmen, the Navajo Code Talkers, and Jackie Robinson, whose courage and service transcended racial and societal barriers.

In her remarks, Sherrill expressed profound concern over the erasure of these stories: “These are Americans who signed up to give their lives for this country—even when this country did not give them the rights and freedoms that they deserved.” The removal of these pages from the DoD website, she argues, not only dishonors these pioneers but also deprives future generations of the opportunity to learn about the diversity of experiences that have shaped American history.

A Call for Inclusivity: Diversity is Our Strength

Mikie Sherrill’s message is clear: diversity is not a detriment to our society, government, or military; it’s what makes us stronger. The elimination of Black history, women’s history, Native American history, and the countless other stories of underrepresented groups is not just an affront to these communities—it’s a threat to the very fabric of America.

In her speech, Sherrill spoke forcefully about the dangers of policies that favor “uniformity and exclusion.” “Diversity and inclusion have never been a detriment to our military, our government, or our society,” she said. “But policies of uniformity and exclusion certainly have.”

The erasure of these stories, according to Sherrill, will weaken both our military forces and the nation as a whole. “Black history is American history. Women’s history is American history. Native American history is American history,” she declared. “Erasing stories like this is not only a disgrace to the service of many people, but it will make our fighting forces and our nation weaker as a whole.”

A Fight Against Historical Revisionism

Sherrill is standing firm against what she perceives as an attempt to bend history to fit a particular agenda. She has voiced her support for an amendment that would prevent Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump from continuing their efforts to erase or distort historical narratives in favor of an agenda that she believes promotes white Christian nationalism. This effort, she argues, goes beyond individual policies or decisions—it’s part of a larger movement that seeks to change how Americans view their own past.

“The truth is that our history—full of triumph, failure, struggle, and progress—should be accessible to all,” Sherrill emphasized. “To rewrite that history to exclude the contributions of certain groups is a violation of our national identity.”

For Sherrill, fighting for these histories to remain visible and celebrated isn’t just about politics; it’s about freedom. She ended her remarks with a powerful nod to the iconic poem by Maya Angelou, whose voice she believes is being silenced in this ongoing cultural war. “I will tell you why the caged bird sings,” she said. “It sings for freedom.”

Protecting American History for Future Generations

As Sherrill makes clear, American history—the good, the bad, and the complex—is our collective heritage. The stories of diverse service members and trailblazing leaders are fundamental to understanding the progress we’ve made as a society. To deny the value of those stories is to deny the very essence of the American experiment.

Sherrill’s passionate defense of these histories is a call to action for anyone who believes that the stories of marginalized communities should be heard and celebrated, not erased. It’s also a reminder that history, when distorted or erased, can never fully guide us toward a better future. To forget the contributions of Black Americans, women, Indigenous peoples, and others is to deny the truth of what makes America truly great: its diversity, resilience, and capacity for change.

As the battle over these historical narratives continues to unfold, Mikie Sherrill is committed to standing in the breach, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed, the marginalized, and the forgotten are never silenced in the name of political expediency. Her resolve to protect American history is a fight for the integrity of the nation itself—one that should inspire all who believe in the power of history to shape a brighter future.

Sherrill Stands in the Breach Against Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s Effort to Erase History Transcript:
0:29
taken I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by
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Maya Angelou off the library shelves but
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left two copies of Adolf Hitler’s
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Minecom in the library just consider
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that for a minute midshipman can now
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read the anti-semitic manifesto of one
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of history’s most evil men but god
0:47
forbid they read the autobiography of a
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black woman recounting her lived
0:51
experience
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hegath’s orders forced the academy to
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remove a display highlighting the
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service of Jewish women before he came
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to visit but Hegath and Trump’s
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censorship reaches far beyond the Naval
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Academy over the past few months they’ve
1:06
deleted thousands of pages off of the
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DoD’s website these pages have taught
1:13
the history of trailblazing service
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members like the Tuskegee Airmen the
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Navajo code talkers Jackie Robinson
1:19
Major General Jeannie Leit our first
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female fighter pilot and thousands more
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but let me be clear these are Americans
1:27
who signed up to give their lives for
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this country even when this country did
1:31
not give them the rights and freedoms
1:34
that they deserved
1:36
diversity and inclusion have never been
1:38
a detriment to our military our
1:39
government or our society but policies
1:42
of uniformity and exclusion certainly
1:44
have black history is American history
1:47
women’s history is American history
1:50
native American history yes it’s
1:52
American history and erasing stories
1:55
like this not only is a disgrace to the
1:57
service of many people but it will make
2:00
our fighting forces and our nation
2:02
weaker as a whole it’s why I’m
2:04
supporting this amendment to prevent
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Pete Hegsth and Donald Trump from
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bending and erasing history to push
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their white Christian nationalist agenda
2:14
i will tell you why the caged bird sings
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it sings for freedom thank you Mr
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chairman and I yield back