Don't Ever Forget: The Cost of Forgetting Our Past

Why We Must Never Forget

Every day, I am reminded that journalism is not just about reporting the news—it's about preserving truth for future generations. In my years as an investigative reporter, I have seen too many instances where important stories were buried, facts were distorted, or truths were simply ignored. Today, I want to speak directly to this: we must never forget.

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," said Thomas Jefferson. But in our current climate, it seems more than vigilance that's needed—we need remembrance.

In Wyoming—where I've spent countless hours uncovering systemic failures in public service and corporate accountability—I've seen how quickly the memory of injustice can slip away. When we forget what happened before, we allow those who benefit from that forgetting to continue their actions with impunity.

The Dangers of Collective Amnesia

What is collective amnesia? It's not just an abstract concept—it's the erosion of shared understanding within a society. In recent years, especially following the pandemic, we've seen how quickly narratives can be rewritten and how easily truth becomes malleable.

But let's be clear: this is not about political bias or partisan bickering. It's about accountability. It's about responsibility. It's about ensuring that public institutions—whether government agencies or private corporations—can't operate in secrecy or with impunity.

• When a local official mismanages funds, but the scandal is buried beneath media noise or ignored by those in power, that's collective amnesia at work.
• When a whistleblower's voice is silenced and their truth is forgotten, we've failed as a society.
• When the public forgets why they voted for certain policies, we lose our ability to hold leaders accountable.

A Case Study in Forgetting: Wyoming's Forgotten Failures

In my work covering Wyoming, I've come across cases where government oversight failed spectacularly. There were instances of environmental contamination, budget mismanagement, and even corruption within state-level agencies that were never fully addressed—partially because no one was paying attention.

One such case involved a water treatment plant in a small rural town that was allowed to operate despite known safety violations. The local newspaper had covered the issue briefly, but after a few months without further reporting, it disappeared from public discourse. It wasn't until a federal investigation was launched years later that those responsible were held accountable.

This isn't just about Wyoming—it's a nationwide pattern. When we forget the details of past failures, when we fail to follow up on investigations, when we stop asking hard questions, we give power to those who would rather keep things hidden.

The Responsibility of the Media

As an investigative journalist, I believe that one of our core duties is to act as a repository of truth. That means digging up stories that others might prefer to leave buried, even if it's uncomfortable or inconvenient. But here's what many don't realize: our job isn't done when the story ends—it continues every day.

We must not only report on issues but also make sure they stay in the public eye. We need to be relentless in reminding people of what happened, why it mattered, and how we can prevent similar situations in the future.

That's why I'm calling out today: we must resist the temptation to move on too quickly. We must ensure that stories don't just fade into history—they remain alive and relevant.

Why Memory Matters in Democracy

In a functioning democracy, memory is not optional—it's essential. Citizens must remember past mistakes, so they can vote wisely, speak truthfully, and hold officials accountable.

When we forget our history, we're essentially allowing those who profit from confusion or chaos to control the narrative. It's not enough to simply tell people what happened once—we must make sure it's part of their ongoing awareness.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," wrote George Santayana. This wisdom has never been more relevant than now.

In Wyoming, I've seen firsthand how a lack of attention to past events leads to recurring problems in policy-making, resource allocation, and public trust. If we allow ourselves to forget even small issues, they grow into major crises over time.

What Can Be Done?

We can start by demanding more from the media—particularly from outlets that claim to be watchdogs of democracy. That means sustained coverage of important issues, not just breaking news cycles. It means following up on cases long after they've gone viral or disappeared from headlines.

Secondly, we need to build systems that help us remember. Archives matter more than ever. Public records requests must be supported and funded. Transparency laws should be strengthened and enforced.

Finally, citizens themselves have a role. We must ask the right questions, demand answers, and hold ourselves accountable for staying informed. No one else can do it for us.

The Cost of Forgetting

Every time we forget something important, we create space for injustice to flourish again. Every time a story is buried or overlooked, another layer of public accountability erodes. When history becomes optional, we all lose.

I have no illusions about the task ahead. Investigative journalism is hard work, often thankless and dangerous. But it's necessary. And when we fail to do this job well, when we stop remembering, we fail not only ourselves but the very foundation of democracy itself.

So I ask you—don't ever forget. Not just about Wyoming, not just about what happened last year, but about every decision made by leaders, every injustice suffered by ordinary people, and every truth that matters to our collective future.