Imagine sitting in a room listening to testimony when a lone voice makes a statement that stops you in your tracks. Advocating for the preservation of land and historical artifacts, a gentleman took the mic and said, “We cannot reimagine the past; we can only reimagine the future.” This powerful statement resonated deeply and runs parallel with our current societal struggles. We often attempt to cover up, remove, or whitewash history, believing that by doing so, we can reshape the realities of our present day. However, the truth is that history, no matter how uncomfortable, will continue to shape our future—either positively or negatively—and we cannot predict the direction of these outcomes if we do not learn from its lessons.

 

In our shared humanity, we are interdependent, yet we frequently find ourselves jostling for position and rewriting narratives to suit our comfort zones. We pretend that bad actors were not as harmful as they were and continue to be, that past situations or experiences were simply misunderstood, or that bringing a diversity of perspectives and knowledge into the present day—whether through reading, dialogue, social media, or otherwise—will fundamentally alter who we are. This is evidenced daily by arguments suggesting that exposure alone can change someone from straight to gay, compliant to rebellious, or unaware to woke. None of these revelations in isolation are problematic in their own right; rather, the intense pushback highlights the desperation to cling to one’s preferred way of seeing the world.

 

But why are we so desperately running away from the truth? If the knowledge of truth changes how we see, act, and treat others, then confronting it should be our priority. Cognitive dissonance often keeps us from acknowledging these truths, as the discomfort of conflicting beliefs and realities creates a barrier to fully embracing them. Our resistance to acknowledging historical truths and present-day realities prevents us from understanding the full scope of our shared humanity.

 

Narrative shifts are crucial, but they must be grounded in truth. Only by embracing our history—no matter how painful—can we truly reimagine a future that is inclusive, equitable, and just. What would it mean to cease shying away from uncomfortable truths and face them head-on? How might we, through courage and curiosity, move beyond idealism to the reality that we can, in fact, build a better world?