At the birth of the United States of America, we declared our independence from our perceived oppressors with the proclamation that everyone is created equal, that we hold these truths to be self-evident, thus requiring no further evidence, discourse, or reasoning.
As such, America started on the journey to make that statement true. There have been, admittedly, major departures. We have come to crossroads many times and have taken the wrong road almost always.
Now, in modern times, the American populace wants to get back on track, traveling down the road of truth. One such example is the idea of African American History. The very idea of African American History is American History, the unabridged version.
In Florida, again, there was a crossroads, and again the wrong road was taken. How is it possible to disparage African American History? There is no American History without it. There is no self-evident truth in U.S. History without the complete story. To cut out or censor African American History is to leave American History as the 'CliffsNotes' version of the complete story.
It is shocking that those who are against ethnic studies and African American history are supposed to want the best education for their children. How will that happen when they only know a portion of the truth?
Connecting this to innovation, understanding our complete history, including African American history, fuels the creativity and inclusivity essential for innovation. Innovation thrives in an environment where diverse perspectives are recognized and valued. When we embrace the full scope of our history, we foster an innovative culture that learns from the past to build a better future.
"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." – Maya Angelou
According to a study by the Brookings Institution, diverse teams are 87% better at making decisions, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in innovation.
Action/Reflection:
Challenge yourself to learn more about African American and Ethnic studies.
Watch documentaries—this is a fun way (at least for me) to learn history. PBS, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc., are good places to start.
Embrace the full story of American history to fuel innovation and inclusivity. Join us in promoting comprehensive education and learning from our diverse past to drive a more innovative and equitable future.
Contact us to learn how we can support your journey towards inclusive innovation.
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