Retraction and Apology
In this Monday’s “Things I Think” I made the comment that if there were anyone reading that believed “slavery was a personal benefit” to those enslaved, they needed to leave.
It was a flippant throwaway comment in response to alleged “news” out of Florida.
I made the comment because I allowed myself to be duped by headlines that made it appear as if this was the belief of Florida educators and government officials.
I allowed myself to be duped because those headlines affirmed negative impulses I already had…so I accepted the lies and spread them around a little farther…as one would spread manure on ground prior to planting.
Had I done five minutes of research (including reading the actual curriculum I posted) it would have been quickly evident that this was an accusation without any substance constructed solely for the purpose of inflaming further hostilities between people for political gain.
I failed to do what I’ve been preaching online and off, failed to hold to any standard of journalistic ethics, and worse, failed to hold to standards of Christian ethics…that I tirelessly demand of others.
My apologies to my brother Alan and to all my readers.
I am far more disappointed in myself than you can possibly be.
I immediately saw the update notification. It is humbling to read and understandable as we all have the same kinds of impulses.
Thank you. Our friendship was and is stronger than that misstep. My resolve to make it to southern Oregon is bolstered.
Bless you and you teach me even now.
You’ve mentioned the Dispatch previously but one of their writers had a good assessment of the controversy. And yes, it appears that an honest reading, with context, doesn’t lead to the easy, knee jerk reaction that launched in the national media this week.
As to your retraction, if only others with a public forum were as principled as you. I’m looking at you J Hibbs(who continues to build his media empire on the backs of his CC supporters and reputation).
Thank you Michael.
Thank you. Forgiven with joy and relief. We all want the truth.
I haven’t followed this situation too closely but from what I can tell, these new/updated? curriculum standards for Florida included an item about how some slaves learned some job skills of some sort during their enslavement, which is a factual truth. Apparently they used the word “benefit” to describe the acquisition of these skills, which probably was not the most prudent or sensitive way to describe it.
Seemingly the mainstream/liberal media jumped on this and significantly exaggerated the situation, demonizing many people along the way. Par for the course as to how much of our media operate today, both on the left and right.
Thanks, Michael for your humble apology.
Michael, your humility speaks volumes. You continue to be a role model for godly leadership.
Captain Kevin, AMEN1
Michael,
I read my email regarding your posts and occasionally choose to come here and reply and other times to just read it and then leave it at that. When I saw your post in question (again, in email format), I decided to do what I’m doing more of these days: choosing to not engage in argument.
Most times, it is more trouble than it’s worth and almost never solves anything.
Check that: NEVER changes anything.
Except this one time, apparently.
I commend you for publicly ADMITTING error, exhibiting GENUINE sorrow and issuing an AUTHENTIC apology…a STARK contrast to what we see out there today.
May it set an example for others to follow when we ALL inevitably fall into error.
Thank you all for hearing me and hearing my heart.
We have to demand honesty and transparency from the media and from each other…and it has to start with a commitment from each one of us individually.
I betrayed my own commitment and that grieves me…will do what I can to make this an aberration, not a habit.
Michael,
Not only did you do what was right (apologizing and retracting), but that is an absolute stand-up move that, like Steven said above, is sorely missing today. Thank you for your example!
Michael…also, I know you are not looking for accolades and applause, but it is really encouraging to see someone do the right thing and admit fault and make corrections. That is why I posted the above.
I see it still being misrepresented in the media today.
You’re a better man than I…
(From Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Gunga Din’)
Michael,
Did you hear or read the following interview about the standards from NPR? I heard it driving into work this morning, and found it interesting and thought-provoking.
Thanks, Dan…I’m always preaching to others to “do the right thing”…it’s strong medicine.
TNV,
It’s too valuable a slur to let go of…got me going…
Muff,
Not really…we all stand for our convictions when it matters…you do too.
Linn,
No…I’ve embarrassed myself enough over this one…I’ll let others discuss it further.
Let us lay this to rest and continue on — thinking the best of one another and longing for truth to prevail. Our God is a consuming fire and we are the living sacrifice. It is in that place that we can know and do his will.
Michael,
I should have been more specific in my comment…the link goes to one of the actual writers of the standards who happens to be African America. It gave me context and some good thoughts about how easily things can be taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He’s not condemning at all-just realistic and practical. 🙂
I don’t think Michael was wrong at all in his initial reaction to the FL law, and his reaction is in agreement with Republican, Tim Scott. Here is Scott:
“As a country founded upon freedom, the greatest deprivation of freedom was slavery. There is no silver lining … in slavery,” Scott — like DeSantis, a GOP presidential candidate — said here in response to a reporter’s question after a forum with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“What slavery was really about was separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives. It was just devastating,” Scott said. “So I would hope that every person in our country — and certainly running for president — would appreciate that. People have bad days. Sometimes they regret what they say. And we should ask them again to clarify their positions.”
Scott is 100% correct. Students should be taught the truth.
My personal opinion is that the FL legislature added crap like this to the teaching standard on slavery to comply with their prior anti-woke statute which prohibits teaching of history that could make a person feel bad about himself based on his race.
I don’t know how a teacher is supposed to teach history in the State of Florida.
Jean,
If you read the entire curriculum document, it read like every standard American history course in the country.
That one paragraph at the end was poorly written…but if you examined any other states curriculum, my guess is that you would find similar misstatements that need clarification.
I understand the distrust of Florida at the moment..but we have to be zealous to deal with real issues, not stuff like this.
I don’t think the pushback was as much to the curriculum itself as it was to Desantis’ framing of such. I always appreciate Michael’s willingness to check sources and make sure he is accurate, but I also appreciate the pushback by Tim Scott as noted by Jean above.
Michael, thank you for owning your mistake and humbly apologizing. My respect for you has grown, although it was already oretty high!
Thanks, my friend…
Exceedingly well done!🙌🏼✌🏼
Grace and peace to you dear brother.
EB