Although the South Park episode shown in class was quite entertaining and comical, the message being

sent to the audience has been a topic of debate for quite some time. The line that is drawn between history preservation and modernistic acceptance has sparked controversy in the United States as far back as I can remember. What needs to be examined, is perspective. Our society has mixed emotions regarding what has occurred throughout history and what is being portrayed and commercialized in the media. The history of the United States has been seen as a great bullying act. The desire to expand and take control of land has been a bloody one, with many struggles and challenges witnessed. Although racism seemed more prevalent during the slavery period in the US, there have been many images of slavery, which have been ignored and adopted in modern times. For example, society tends to accept racial epithet and slurs used in commercialization and media. Those who are affected by the references of hate tend to disagree with them. Today we are faced with the phenomenon of political correctness. This has led to the re-examining uses of racial symbols in our daily lives. What has been accepted in the past is now under fire, due to the heightened emotions that are a product of watering down history. As society advances, older ways of thought and deemed inappropriate are challenged. Those who are pressured to change are diluting the essence of historical facts. During a recent visit to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, I was able to hear the testimony of the last German Jew survivor of the Holocaust. One of the goals of his testimony and speech was to promote preservation of the events and history of an era where humanity failed. From his perspective, those who deny the existence of the Holocaust must be educated. By telling his story, he was able to share an uncut and unedited count of his ordeal. To remove an image or racial slur from everyday life, what our society is really doing is sweeping its history under the rug. There have been many great acts and historical events in the United States since its colonization, however we must not forget those who suffered during our rise.