Erasing History

October 28, 2023

When I began my graduate program, I was introduced to the Marie Callahan Reading Clinic, a special place where graduate students worked side by side with elementary and secondary students, teaching them how to read.

The clinic was lovingly led and overseen by Dr. Erdmann. Even though it is found in a dormitory basement and the walls are made of cold concrete blocks, the enthusiasm for learning oozed from the walls.

You see, for five decades, at the end of each session, every child and every graduate student would sign their names on the walls. Every inch of wall space (and some ceiling space, too) was covered in these bright signatures, inspiring phrases, and drawings.

When children and adults returned to the clinic for the next session or years later, they always went back to the walls. They eagerly found their signature, their quote, their doodle. They excitedly looked for ones from other people they knew.

The walls were a celebration of learning! A visible reminder of growth. They sparked joy for many.

New children and new teachers knew they were part of something big and important the moment they stepped in. A long history of all who came before.

So you can imagine how devastating the news was when I learned recently that after Dr. Erdmann had passed, all the walls were covered in a fresh coat of paint.

One decision made by one person who did not see the value, did not appreciate the history, did not hear and honor the voices of those who were part of it.

I’ve seen this before. Disregarding the past. Painting over history in the name of progress.

But there is a danger that comes with it.

I once experienced a place where history was discarded, put to the side. And as a result, mistakes were repeated, meaningful things were lost, people were harmed.

And I currently experience a place where voices are heard, the past is remembered and used to inform the path forward, and all that helps everyone as we keep doing the next right things.

May we continue to write on the walls, remember and honor our past, and celebrate our growth.