- The environment: People in the past lived if completely different environments. Based on the location, some places until recently racially autonomous, thus no exposure to proper knowledge of dealing with differences. Most only had the education of knowing how to fight to survive and had extremely difficult lives as a result. As it is today, those types of struggles affected people for the best or the worst. Those who were better off and had a little more chance of luxury had their own struggles in other categories of human fallibilities. Some of either environment had the blessing of being raised in a good and loving family, but even those families had their struggles. The real meaning of having a life means learning from these imperfect experiences.
- Ages old misunderstandings: I'm specifically thinking of beliefs and practices that are passed through generations of time, so old that they are a common way of life and feel so natural that it becomes a part of someone's identity. The abuse of patriarchy, which classified women and children as beneath the men, and in some cultures treated them as property; The use of abuse (all kinds) acceptable forms of discipline. Racism (believing that one race is of higher importance than others) motivating peoples to conquer and perform all sorts of heinous acts of torture. All of these have been taught for centuries, even millennia, in most, if not all, cultures. If we're going to wipe out every humankind guilty of growing up with these mindsets, we might as well wipe out our whole historical existence! With something instilled in our mindset for so long, it really takes a lot of conscientious time and effort to stop it. Even though it's a continuous battle trying to overcome such a mindset that has lasted throughout the ages, I'm glad we're able to take this issue into more serious consideration today than we have ever done in the past.
- Culture: As I already mentioned, going back to the past, even as close as fifty years ago, we will see some cultural differences, even without having to look outside of our own little abode in the world. Things change, and people change, and what also changes is the perception and level of understanding. For example, people in the early 1900s perceived and said things that at that time weren't considered racial at all that so many today find outright offensive. To consider such an act as racial never crossed their minds (too ordinary of a practice or mindset to think twice about). It was an innocent time and day in that aspect, and to blame them for something they didn't understand is unfair and frankly unkind. I knew some people from that generation, and the majority of them were good men and women with good intentions and raised on good overall values. That makes the movement of Martin Luther King, Jr. all that more significant because he helped educate people of their ignorant traditional practices and helped them understand that something in our culture needed correction.
- They are humans: I think one of the greatest complaints that people make about historical figures is that they feel like they were taught in school to practically worship these historical figures like action heroes. Again, I am bringing up Martin Luther King, Jr. The thesis of that book was to point out that he was very much a fallible man, prone to human weaknesses and temptations, but that's what made him great in what he did for the country. So many people are arguing that our historical figures, particularly the founding fathers and leaders of our nation had a dark side. Doesn't everyone? I really doubt that any of us alive in this world who lacks a dark side. So, if we have a dark side, it's certainly logical that people who have lived in previous generations had a dark side as well. It's called being human. Does that make what they have achieved any less valuable? No! In fact, it makes it even more amazing! That someone so imperfect can still achieve great things that affect generations to come for good should be truly inspiring!
- There are more than one side to a story: Many people have wanted to bring out the other sides of the story in our history, and I applaud that. Learning a different point of view is valuable in being able to see and understand people's different background; however, I disagree that in exchange for bringing out that point of view we dismiss what we've learned already from the more common teachings. I have always liked hearing different perspectives. Of course, you will get some differences. These are looking from different angles after all, but having all of the perspectives is a little bit like a puzzle. As each perspective is pieced together, the picture as a whole comes together, and it's easier to see the situation a little more accurately, and you understand how they all fit in. The understanding of where everyone is coming from is clearer, too, and it's not as likely to jump to unfair conclusions.
- History is imperfect: To conclude a person's character by what information we have on them isn't a good practice. History itself is based off of a scholar's research and conclusions of the most reliable sources that can be accessed. Truth be told, sources are not omnipotent in proving a person's character, because even they have limitations. They only record parts of someone's life. Even for the most well-known historical figures who have many records about them aren't complete. I don't think I know of anyone in this life who has recorded every thought, inspiration, and deed on an everlasting product that will last for centuries, and people who knew those people enough to vouch for or against them are passed on as well. Remember, no social media, though in my experience technology doesn't last long either. So, until we have the ultimate proof of character, perhaps a little more consideration and a little less jumping to a conclusion should be in order.
I agree it is important to know the atrocities of the past, and the motivation behind that should be to help us improve our own relationships with people, not to shame anyone. It is also important to know the triumphs to inspire us to be a better people and to reach for better heights, and that it is possible to do so. Knowing that great accomplishments were achieved by some highly imperfect people makes that message even more hopeful. We can learn to understand without having to degrade people in the process.
*I refuse to accuse anyone of being woke, nor will use the term. It's now turned into a derogative cliché, which disqualifies it from my everyday vocabulary.
Now I'll get off my soapbox.
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| Monticello. Home of Thomas Jefferson. |
