If I understand you correctly and you are saying a 19th century text featured black heroes, but Wilson’s early 20th century didn’t cover them at all, why not just list a few names of these heroes, with a few words describing the deeds of each, that most demonstrate what you are claiming?
It’s much bigger than this, but ultimately, yes, you largely have the concept correct.
Our early black heroes were widely known. Frederick Douglass was not just discovered 10 years ago. Phyllis Wheatley has had poems written about her if I remember correctly. Crispus Attucks’ role in the Boston Massacre was high profile after John Adams and the court trial. And similar situations for many others. They were all erased.
It’s not just “a 19th century text”. I only offer that one book because it’s an item I can quickly offer as a way to combat this. The progressives certainly aren’t going to do it. Nobody else has a vested interest here in defending America. It’s us or none.
You: “...why not just list a few names of these heroes, with a few words describing the deeds of each, that most demonstrate what you are claiming?”
Him: “As Barton notes, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, and others - Phyllis Wheatley, Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, and many, many others.”
Me: how many do you want him to list?