The very same people who want a whitewashed world want to eliminate entire schools of thought, elements of science, books, open discussion and the opportunity to learn.

Whitewashed is a demoralizing word, one that makes me feel reduced to the way I act and speak, and not the person I am.

Furthermore, the effects of invalidating young people of color’s identities can have serious consequences. One report from the National Library of Medicine classifies encounters such as these as ...