‘Snowflakes’ uncomfortable with U.S. history

The political right likes to criticize "snowflakes," — often college students — who might take offense at what they perceive to be racist and sexist language. It seems our Iowa Republican legislators and Gov. Kim Reynolds are snowflakes, too — since they can't abide any discussions of U.S. history that makes them "uncomfortable" or suggests that racism and sexism are integral to that history.

But how, exactly, can you talk about our country's history — its genocide and land seizures from Native Americans, its far too long record of slavery, and its continued suppression of women without being uncomfortable or ashamed?

Malcolm X said that nothing would reward black students more than the study of U.S. history. H. Rap Brown said that racism was "as American as apple pie." Sorry if this makes some Republicans uncomfortable.

Jim Walters

Iowa City