Slavery – Professional Copywriter | Wyalusing, PA Bradford County

Ignorant Patriotism Thrives by Censoring History

Some chapters in American history may be difficult to process, but they should be there for us to learn. It was more than a year ago when one of my blogs posted on Facebook received an ominous “blacklisted” tag. It was only a couple of weeks after the insurgence at the Capitol. The word “fascism” was in the blog’s heading, and I thought maybe it was flagged for proliferating an unproven conspiracy or fueling anti-government sentiments. It [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-03-01T16:23:02+00:00March 1, 2022|1960's, American History, Constitution Rights, Education, History, Ignorance, Racism, Slavery|

Is Patriotism too Fragile to Withstand History

Digging up the past helps us understand who we are as a nation. I fear patriotism is presented as a false choice. It seems that for many, to be patriotic is to remember and celebrate only our nation’s triumphs. To choose otherwise, to choose to remember our failings, is thus somehow anti-American. — Ken Burns Ken Burns, in the introductory quote, was referring to the only National Historic Site in the United States with the word “massacre” [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:32+00:00November 28, 2021|Black Americans, History, Native Americans, Patriotism, Politics, Racism, Slavery|

Fascism and Racism Subvert Democratic Ideals

It takes vigilance for a democracy to detect seeds of sedition and treason. So how did we get here? How did we in America, the land of opportunity, get so screwed up about who’s right and who’s wrong after following a Pied Piper to the edge of a metaphorical river where some have already drowned? Others wait on the shore, testing the water, and vacillating. “Should we stay or should we go?” The Piper’s followers have already [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:55+00:00January 20, 2021|Antebellum South, Fascism, Politics, Racism, Slavery|

When Patriotism Contorts into Nationalism

Calling all patriots who want America to be the best we can be. If you are looking for a concise definition of patriotism — a phrase that captures its general meaning— it would probably be “love of country.” There really is no simple definition of patriotism, because it is not so much about blind love as it is an affection for and allegiance to your country acquired over a lifetime. It is a love instilled and nurtured [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:58+00:00September 2, 2020|1918, Baby Boomers, History, Hitler, Nationalism, Patriotism, Slavery, World War I, World War II|

Erasing Past Sins Distorts History’s Lessons

History teaches us that racial harmony extends beyond racial tolerance. It’s not that I’m a big fan of “Gone with the Wind,” which was, in my opinion, a chick flick before that expression became part of the national vocabulary. The movie came out in 1939, many years before some started inappropriately referring to women as chicks and movies as flicks. A quick Googling revealed the term “chick flick” first appeared in print in 1988. It didn’t take [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:59+00:00June 17, 2020|American History, Antebellum South, Black Americans, Civil War, Current Events, Discrimination, Jim Crow, Racism, Slavery, Vocabulary|

Drawing Line between Patriotism and Nationalism

When Uncle Sam wants you, make sure history is on your side. I might have to write and run here, because Mary and I will soon be abandoning our cozy little hideaway along the bay front in St. Petersburg, FL. We’re exiting for home in the wee hours tomorrow morning to escape the horrendous traffic through Tampa. Then, after vegging out in Asheville, NC, we’ll embark on a more leisurely drive along about 400 miles of the [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:10:30+00:00February 19, 2020|Baby Boomers, Civil War, Education, Fact Checking, Fairness, History, Patriotism, Slavery, Truth|