Why Is It So Hard to Talk About America's Past? - Extended Interview | America Inside Out

Katie Couric and Bryan Stevenson, Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, discuss the history and significance of confederate monuments and memorials, and why to many they represent a painful and powerful reminder of America’s past.

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Why Is It So Hard to Talk About America's Past? - Extended Interview | America Inside Out

National Geographic

[NatGeo]

Many individuals often find America's controversial past to be difficult to discuss. What do you think about Bryan Stevenson's position on the topic?

[velocityrd]

Because America's past is still it's present.

Katie Couric thank you so much for asking that question about Native Americans.
You are right we do sit back and think "what about us?".
There were 5 tribes associated with the Trail of Tears and I am a direct descendant of the families that walked.
Again thank you for not forgetting us too.

[joeanthony]

Finally someone who speaks with his mind and heart, and not with hate and prejudice.

[blownspeakersss]

Part of the problem is that history is politicized -- by both left and right. We don't like talking about the past because too often such discussions are dishonest, overly simplistic, polarizing, and unnecessarily cynical.

[dothedeed]

Alabama had laws banning interracial marriage up until 1999. And in the referendum, 40% voted against allowing it. Let that sink in.

[phishENchimps]

It's not hard. It's talked about every single day.

[conjurassix]

Why does the federal government still monitor and influence Native American tribes today?

[phylush]

We are not responsible for what our ancestors may have done. Apologizing for something I had no part in does not change anything, no matter what.

[blackwhite]

You can clearly see the unapologetic attitude of americans in the comment section. It seems that they want to forget history that doesnt work for them. You do not forget history because you learn from it. You do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. That is why you remember it. That is how you move on.

[WS-gwms]

What are you talking about? We have black history month, countless American slavery historical museums, those live action museum parks, and movies. I just don't get your point. I'm not saying it's perfect, but most people would agree that it's our nations greatest shame.

[jonathansprings]

To remember bad things just brings about more hate. Lets just love eachother and move forward. Not live in the past. Its sad but the people that experienced it... Are dead. Its too late for America to apologize to them. Lets move forward and love eachother.

[beardedroofer]

Nothing about history is forgotten in our pursuit of a brighter future.

[beaubasaur]

It did happen, you acknowledge it, learn from the past, and never let it happen again. Keep talking about the past you end up living in the past. Just like your exes you keep talking about them, you get emotional for something you can't change regardless...

[RyeinGoddard]

Pretty sure everyone has continuously talked about it for the past 20 years. We elected a black president twice and yet the liberal media still beats this drum. It is getting old. People will always be biased about something. Just do the right thing and eventually things will settle down.

[lknanml]

Very few nations if any have a clear conscience about how they formed. The US in our case is a very different nation. You can pretty much be what you want if you have enough drive. We should always look back at how we got here but when people try to balance the past it's going to end badly. Study history to make sure those situations stay in history. Try to improve our current climate without malice or a sense of a debt owed and you will fair much better. I'm the type of person where Human is the only classification that matters. Gender, race, religion shouldn't matter. We have come so very far but still have a ways to go.

[rolandoruiz]

It's not just the issues concerning black slavery. Look at how the treated the American Indians (The Long March) and the Chinese in the good old American West.

[elizabethklisiewecz]

I didn't make a mistake. My ancestors did. I can't make up for what they did. We need to move on. It happened. We can't change it. Accept it, stop making us pay day after day.

[treenelson]

Excellent, so by these precedents you are willing to consider tearing down the statues of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Jackson, for their contributions to the Native American genocide?
(You can start with Mount Rushmore. Thank you)

[trent_king]

He contradicts himself. He praises other nations for not forgetting genocide but wants to remove Confederate memorials🤔