Like many Americans, I am stunned and outraged by the recent revelation that Medgar Evers’ name has been removed from the Arlington National Cemetery website. Evers is not just a name from the history books — he was a man who lived and died fighting for justice. A decorated World War II veteran, Evers returned from battle abroad only to confront racism at home, eventually becoming one of the most courageous leaders of the civil rights movement. His assassination in 1963 marked one of the most painful chapters in America’s ongoing struggle for equality.
The erasure of Evers’ name from Arlington’s records is more than a clerical decision; it is a deliberate act of historical erasure. It comes on the heels of President Trump’s executive order dismantling all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies — a sweeping move that undermines decades of hard-fought progress. Stripping Medgar Evers’ recognition at Arlington feels like a direct consequence of this hostile environment, where figures who embody the fight for civil rights are now quietly being pushed out of public memory.
This is not just about a website. It is about who gets to be remembered in our national story. Arlington is a sacred ground where we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country. For a Black veteran like Medgar Evers — who fought fascism abroad and white supremacy at home — to be left out of this space is deeply troubling. It signals to many that their histories and sacrifices are seen as optional, or worse, disposable.
The pattern is clear. From attacks on Black history curricula to the removal of DEI offices, we are watching an aggressive backlash against efforts to create a fuller, more honest account of American history. Erasing Evers’ name is part of a broader campaign to silence the contributions of those who have challenged systemic racism and injustice.
Medgar Evers is more than a historical figure — he is a reminder of what is at stake when we talk about freedom, democracy, and equality. His life calls on us to resist the forces that seek to rewrite or whitewash history. His sacrifice demands our vigilance against the creeping normalization of injustice. Yet, America continues to wrestle with the discomfort of its own reflection, refusing to fully confront the enduring legacy of systemic racism.
Now more than ever, we must speak out. We must insist that our national institutions honor the full breadth of American history — including the uncomfortable and painful truths. Medgar Evers belongs in Arlington’s records, and his story belongs in the heart of America’s conscience. We must persevere through this discomfort, confront our nation’s failures, and find the resolve to build a future rooted in justice and truth.
Those who erase history make room for it to repeat itself. We must choose remembrance over silence.
In Solidarity,
Thulani
