Why is it important to keep the good, the bad,
and most definitely the ugly of history alive?

* Knowing the past gives us a meaningful context from which to understand the present.

* Historical awareness teaches us who we are, and what we stand for. It provides us with a sense of shared humanity as well as a cultural and personal identity.

* Positive historical models guide us and inspire to emulate examples of good, responsible citizenship; negative historical models aid us in avoiding past injustices.

* A knowledge of history helps us to better understand change and current events and guides our decision-making today.

* History is knowledge, and knowledge is power. Without it, we remain vulnerable to repeating the worst atrocities of the past, all of which have been motivated on some level by hate and/or bias.