George Washington Bush has a special place in our history

I wish that Washington state history would include George Washington Bush as part of Oregon Trails or early settlers. Our children need to know about pioneer of different races. Most students do not know that there were many people of color involved in the early westward journeys in the mid- and late 1840s. George Washington Bush was African-Irish-American. He had inherited money from a wealthy white Quaker. Mr. Bush was painted by Jacob Lawrence, famous African-American artist. Information can easily be found in encyclopedias and on line. Moses Lake has many races living here and the more we know about each other, we will appreciate our unique differences and sameness as human beings. Information can easily be found online or in any encyclopedia. He and his family contributed so much to Washington state. Some of his children served in our state legislature.

In addition to wanting the inclusion of George Washington Bush in our state history book, I am also saying goodbye to Harper Lee, author of “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Harper Lee’s book sensitized Americans about normal existence in Alabama during the 1930s and the existence of racism in a small time in the same manner that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book sensitized Americans about the evils of slavery in the 1860s. Both Miss Lee and Miss Stowe are two strong white women who have earned a place in black history.

Maryamu Givens

Moses Lake