There’s an African proverb: Until the lion learns to speak, it’s the hunter who tells the tale. The victor tells the story, which becomes “history,” and those who’ve been conquered and vanquished are marginalized and silenced.

The dominant culture does its best to suppress and destroy the language, culture, religion, way of life and lands of the conquered peoples. The history of the U.S. is rooted in genocide, slavery and misogyny, yet increasingly, it’s considered un-American to acknowledge and talk about this.

Here in Santa Fe, we have an opportunity to give voice to peoples whose voices have been, for the most part, silenced; whose lands have been appropriated; whose language, religion, customs and culture have been suppressed. The dominant culture resists accepting that before their ancestors arrived and conquered, there were many peoples living here, whose way of living was disrupted, who were subjugated, killed and forced to accommodate the newly arrived soldiers who took by force that which was not theirs to take.

We cannot change the past, as I know only too well. What we can do, to heal, as individuals and a nation, is to acknowledge that stories told by conquerors are only part of the story. To heal, we have to hear and listen and acknowledge the stories told by those who were subjugated and silenced. They have much to teach us. We have much to learn.

When the dominant culture’s story is disputed, the result is often anger, violence, cries of disbelief that their way of life, their story is being disputed. And yet, this is an opportunity to mend and heal. Instead of focusing on monuments, let us recognize that there are stories needing to be told.

Let us provide safe environments for marginalized voices to be heard, for their history to be told. Let us recognize that our Santa Fe is our Santa Fe, not mine nor yours. Only when we welcome all members of the community, hear all stories, recognize that history is complex, that there is no one story, only then can we become a city where all citizens feel empowered, that all citizens feel they belong.

As a storyteller, I know the power of stories. I’d like to hear yours. I hope you’d like to hear mine.