As a parent, I’m worried. The heated debates around diversity, equity and inclusion are drowning out something far more important: our children’s ability to learn about and appreciate different cultures. As we come to the end of Black History Month and head into Women’s History Month, we should be celebrating the rich contributions of all communities, not turning cultural education into a battleground.

One of the most valuable aspects of cultural appreciation in education is the spotlight it shines on the achievements of historically underrepresented groups. For generations, American students learned history primarily through a narrow lens that overlooked countless significant contributions. Ignoring these accomplishments not only minimizes these groups but obscures history. When students learn about inventors like Garrett Morgan, who created the traffic light and the gas mask, they gain a more complete understanding of American innovation. When they study the work of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, or Ada Lovelace’s pioneering work in computer science, they see excellence across racial and gender boundaries. These are not political talking points; they are essential parts of our shared American story.

But our children also need to be enriched with real cultural understanding. A greater awareness and appreciation for other cultures is what makes us more open-minded and empathetic. Our schools continue to serve increasingly diverse student populations who will enter a workforce where cultural competence is not optional but essential. In today’s interconnected economy, employers look for candidates who can navigate multicultural environments and collaborate across differences. Students with a greater cultural awareness will have a competitive advantage. Kids can either learn to understand different communication styles and appreciate different viewpoints and approaches to problem-solving — skills that translate directly to workplace success — or they can grow into myopic, indifferent adults. And clearly, there are plenty of adults who could also use a little more cross-cultural learning to open their hearts and minds.

Perhaps the strongest argument for keeping politics out of education centers on the fundamental purpose of teaching history. We study the past not merely to memorize dates and events but to learn from the triumphs and failures. When we teach an inclusive history that acknowledges painful chapters like slavery and segregation, alongside stories of progress like women’s suffrage and the Civil Rights Movement, we help young people understand complex social issues. When we tell stories of how communities have overcome discrimination and how we have grown as a society to become more inclusive and equitable, our kids see what resilience looks like and hopefully grow greater confidence in and commitment to civic action.

And as adults, we should heed the warning of philosopher George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Without the exploration and understanding of our collective history — including its uncomfortable truths — we risk repeating mistakes and perpetuating inequities.

The current attack on DEI worries me for many reasons, but especially because it threatens to eliminate critical learning from schools and would deprive students of essential knowledge and skills needed for success in our diverse society. This is more than a policy disagreement — it is an attempt to control knowledge and keep our future leaders in the dark about historical realities. Denying students access to our complete history is fundamentally cowardly. It reflects a fear that young people, when presented with historical facts, might draw their own conclusions rather than accepting carefully curated narratives. True education is not about sheltering students from difficult truths but empowering them with knowledge to make informed judgments. Efforts to scrub the curriculum free of difficult topics like racism and removing the full picture of historical truths, critical accomplishments and multi-cultural celebrations do not protect our youth — they handicap them intellectually, emotionally and civically.

A comprehensive education isn’t just beneficial — it’s essential for maintaining a society where informed citizens can meaningfully participate in our democracy. Turning the words “diversity” and “equity” into coded arguments as a method to stop these conversations from happening in the classroom counters this academic priority and divides us. Schools fulfill their mission to prepare all students for life by supporting their development of the knowledge, empathy and critical-thinking skills needed to bring us together as one proud American society.

Britt Hogue lives in Maryland and is founder of the consulting firm The Collective Good.