At some point you have to leave the past in the past and build a more equitable world for all, today.

Yep.

Unfortunately, some people confuse equity with “just treat everyone the same, I don’t need to do anything about the things my ancestors stole”. That leaving the past in the past means ignoring its continuing impacts. As long as systematic disadvantage from stolen land and oppression is ongoing, it’s not the past - it’s the present.