History is constantly evolving, with new interpretations and meanings arising from any particular historic event. The official name of our state, with the choice word “plantations” is on the ballot for removal or maintaining.

In its inception, dating back to the day of Roger Williams, the term referred to the farming settlements. Fast forward to today’s era, the term becomes awkward and offensive to many because of what plantations later represented, enslavements of people of color. The connotations associated are about a dark past when many people suffered.

Removing the name in 2020 is appropriate, serving as one healing step among many. Traditions new or old should carry sensitivity as they take on new or expanded meanings.

Traditional American Values is often tossed around as a type of barometer, insisted by some to get back to.  My own associations with the TAV harkens to times past with episodes of “Father Knows Best,” with the archetypal actor, Bud- Robert Young, leading his family in gentle and firm ways.

Patriarchal times during the Cold War carried themes

of apple pie, mom, the flag, baseball, and Commies as our sworn enemy. It was also a period when people of color were left behind, given little to help but the rhetoric, of “picking themselves up by the good old bootstraps.” These were hollow words.

Robert Young or John Wayne may have fit the bill 50-plus years ago, but today they are replaced mostly by sports stars and celebs. Most of us would prefer more substance than such shallow heroic examples. We should not wallow in the past, rather turn traditions into constructive reform measures that contribute to today’s stressed and complex world.

Marriage and partnerships are a long custom. They are no longer solely about cis gender man-woman combinations, rather now include all kinds of people legally joined. Another newer practice is that women can make decisions for themselves, especially the right to control their own bodies and health. Thank history for that, with some progressive laws to back it up.

One can also understand the mixed messages of bronze statues in public places. Historic symbols now send the wrong signals to a populous more aware of the harm done by a Columbus or a Stonewall Jackson. Flags too, representing discrimination, are being taken down, rightfully so.

Affirmative Action and Title IX actions were drawn up in recent decades to level the playing field, literally and figuratively. There still persists some resistance to these legal rulings.

Ethnic traditions are wonderful, especially when they are celebrated and shared with the arts of foods, dance, and music. These are the things that contribute to a rich society. Social-political traditions that divide and exclude are essentially harmful.

Traditions as an expression of history will change as people appreciate more equity in human rights. We should not remain stuck in times past, insisting on traditions that marginalize people. Traditions, like history do evolve, and we should all look to make such things work for the betterment of us all.

Stephan Brigidi
Brigidi