If those who forget history are condemned to repeat it, what happens to those who don’t know history in the first place?
Apparently, they’re destined to humiliate themselves on national television.
Like Brooklyn’s Rep. Yvette Clarke.
Appearing on The Colbert Report Tuesday, Democrat Clarke proceeded to deliver a jaw-dropping rewrite of history.
Asked what she would say to Brooklynites who were preparing to join New York City in 1898 if she could go back in time, Clarke replied: “Set me free.”
By which, she said, she meant free from “slavery.”
“I didn’t realize there was slavery in Brooklyn in 1898,” said a theatrically befuddled Colbert.
Said Clarke: “I’m pretty sure there was.”
Well, Colbert asked, “Who would be enslaving you in 1898 in New York?”
“The Dutch,” answered Clarke — with absolutely no sign that she was kidding.
For the record, the Dutch lost control of New York in 1674.
And, of course, slavery was outlawed in New York in 1827 — and in the entire country in 1865.
A spokeswoman yesterday insisted Clarke’s “comments were not meant to be taken seriously.”
No problem with that. From now on.