On March 10, as part of a wave of similar moves by states across the country, the Florida legislature passed what supporters are calling the “Stop WOKE Act,” a bill limiting what workplaces and schools can teach about race and identity, with special emphasis on discussions that could cause others to feel shame over past actions of their race or sex.
But this widespread push to treat all truth-telling about America’s complicated racial history as “divisive” is in itself a cause of division. Such silencing impedes America’s recovery from that history; it denies the diverse communication that is needed to promote mental health around these issues. This was the perspective held by the late author Toni Morrison, whose baldly truthful work on race in America has been the target of bans in school districts nationwide. With this recent legislation, and considering March is also Women’s History Month, Morrison’s work becomes particularly relevant, especially since the theme this March is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.”
Focusing on America’s difficult racial past by centering the Black experience, Morrison sought to offer healing and hope not just to the Black community but to all Americans. But celebrating her shouldn’t be only about remembering, because this alone can’t provide a complete understanding of her contributions.
