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Legacy matters. The way we speak about and remember the past shapes how we understand ourselves today.

I’m sharing a story here about the unconscionable decision by the current administration to remove displays honoring Black American World War II heroes—men who helped liberate the Netherlands from German occupation—from the Netherlands American Cemetery.

It’s clear what the administration is attempting, so there’s no need to dwell on their motives. What this moment truly highlights is the enduring significance of legacy.

There is a reason that, among all oppressed groups in American history, legacy and historical continuity were uniquely stripped from African Americans. We are the only people whose original homelands were severed and whose ancestry was deliberately obscured. It was a calculated, devastating attempt to erase identity and humanity.

But it failed. We are still here—and thriving. Still, attempts to distort, downplay, or erase our contributions have intensified in recent years. How future generations will perceive us depends on the legacy we actively build and preserve today.

While some forces fall outside our control, we can control how we document and honor our own stories. We must first believe that our legacy is worthy of preservation. Then we must ensure our impact is recorded—if not by official institutions, then by ourselves, our families, and our communities.

The gift of the modern age is that information is no longer monopolized. We can uplift names like George H. Pruitt and Julius W. Morris—two of nearly 200 Black soldiers who died liberating the Netherlands during World War II—even when our own government refuses to honor them.

So I ask you:
What legacy are you shaping for those who will come after you?
How are you preserving it?

Don’t leave your story to chance. The future is uncertain, but the groundwork for a proud tomorrow must be laid today.

To explore one powerful way to preserve your legacy, click here to learn more about the Lineage Legacy Portrait Experience.

Stay blessed,
Raven