How about replacing the many, divisive, history months with a program to honor Exceptional Americans without reference to color, gender, or ethnicity? Establish a government website that would accept nominations from any American citizen of any exceptional American citizen no longer living to be honored for their contributions to the betterment of our country?
Establish objective criteria for being honored in this way that do NOT include divisive concepts like “the first Black woman to. . . “ or “the first LGBTQ. . .” Focus on shared values and pride in being American. Once established, the website could then be drawn on as a source of inspiration and pride year round.
Appoint a team of 3-5 qualified historians to research and verify the contributions of nominees and then write a brief biography highlighting that person’s contributions. Publish the bio with a portrait on the website followed by links to resources for further reading. Build in a way for the public to flag perceived errors (from punctuation to factual), and a system for promptly addressing and correcting them.
Make the database searchable by categories such as inventors, scientists, heroes, artists, athletes, and reformers— but NOT by race, gender or ethnicity. Stress American achievements, American ingenuity, American perseverance, and American values rather than race, gender, ancestry or political affiliation.
Such a website could be a useful educational tool for school children and homeschooling as well as an appropriate replacement for divisive “History Months” like Women’s History Month, Black History Month, and others.
Make Americans Proud Again.