“Until Americans replace mythology with history...an arc of the American universe will keep bending toward injustice.” What are your thoughts, comments, or reactions in response to this quote?

At the end of Chapter 17: Progress, Ibram X. Kendi writes, “Until Americans replace mythology with history, until Americans unveil and halt the progression of racism, an arc of the American universe will keep bending toward injustice” (p. 440). What are your thoughts, comments, or reactions in response to this quote?"

"History" is seldom neutral and is almost always defined by those in power. Most any historical document or textbook or presentation has to be considered in the context of the biases of the author. So almost all history -- even the "revisionist" history presented in this book has an element of mythology to it -- it is not totally factual, even though most elements of it are true. Kendi has a perspective; that's his "mythology." He is not unbiased either. That doesn't make him wrong, but it does mean that whenever one purports to recount history, one needs to be open about the the source of his or her information and clear about one's own biases, so the reader can evaluate.

I agree with Laura’s comments and would add that uncomfortable facts are sometimes omitted. And that we as Americans need to talk about these omissions and how this changes history.

We have a long way to go but I am inclined to agree with Obama. I don't think the arc bends toward "injustice."

Unfortunately, I think given the recent decisions made by the Supreme Court, the arc is bending towards injustice for many people.:(

I agree with laurap's response also. I think we all come with our own perspective. While reading this book during the summer, I thought of some women I see covered from head to toe while their male companions are wearing shorts and sandals and uncovered faces. As a country we seem to currently accept this. I have asked myself why we ever accept any kind of unequal treatment at all. I question blindly respecting anything that treats anyone unequally.

I agree that we need to get away from mythology as being fact and question what we have been told or taught and really look for a diverse selection of sources for historical accuracy. This perspective made me start to wonder how much of what I was taught in elementary and secondary school was real and it disgusts me that some states don't want to teach what may have been real because some kids may feel bad by association.

This is probably the only chapter in the book I questioned. I do realize that things aren’t changing as rapidly as most of us would like, but I still feel like overall the trajectory is positive. I don’t feel like the arc is bending toward injustice. And maybe an arc is a bad analogy. I think it’s more like a stair step, maybe two steps up to one down. I’m so happy a black woman is on the ballot for president. Surely that must indicate some progress?

History repeats and repeats itself. The quest for power, control and wealth is a constant since the beginning of time. We make progress slowly but the injustices inflicted on the less powerful, women, Jews, Blacks, Asians et/al continue and others will inherit this status. As long as the Trumps and J.D. Vances of the world exist it’s a no win situation. I don’t think as an 81 year old Jewish female I will live to see a change.

I think the author answered this best in the introduction when she wrote “But while history is what happened, it is also just as important, how we think about what happened, and what we unearth and choose to remember about what happened.” Mary Ellen Hicks also noted that “a valid interpretation could come down on both sides of the issue.” I think these quotes reinforce the importance of reading books with different points of view so that we can appreciate others’ perspectives while at the same time broadening their perspective, reinforcing the facts of history, etc.

Ibram X. Kendi is a highly regarded historian, and I found this chapter very well supported in terms of certain Supreme Court legislation which certainly does not support the argument that the arc is bending toward justice. In fact, I find his argument credible indeed, whether or not I agree with him. At this time I see no reason to disagree.

Surely the existence of the Maga Movement, its numerous adherents, and its gross attacks on so many of our fellow citizens is a clue to the validity of Kendi's argument. Look at the efforts being made to even deny Black history in case the fragile feelings of white students are hurt.

I must agree with my Jewish friend that too many folk seek out the less powerful to scorn...even cats!