History textbooks in schools often present a sanitized version of the past, glossing over uncomfortable truths to protect certain narratives. I've noticed that my own education skipped detailed discussions of colonial atrocities and labor exploitation, focusing instead on triumphant milestones. Should we prioritize teaching the full, brutal complexity of history even if it makes students uncomfortable? If we sugarcoat the past, are we truly learning from it or just reinforcing a patriotic myth?