Not Allowed To Like History?
September 13, 2022
By AHNZ
Dangerous meme keeps turning up. Full of errors.
It reads: “With all due respect, please read this, then read it again. Then teach it to your children and grandchildren.”
“History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from. And if it offends you even better, because you are less likely to repeat it. History is not yours to change or destroy.”
Don’t Repeat?
The most glaring error is that it’s best if we don’t repeat our history. Yet some history ought to be repeated because it was outstandingly brilliant!
Sometimes we choose freedom. We de-regulated much of our marketplace. Sometimes we topple government monopolies. We ended political discrimination against women. We challenge old ideas and technology and come up with new ones. Crisis governments take on emergency powers but, eventually, they surrender them. If called upon again we should do it again, but even faster. New Zealand refused to be part of Australia and may need to do so again if China or the United Nations try it on. Sometimes we excel in athletic competitions and win rugby and cricket games. Much history ought to be repeated.
Don’t Like or Dislike?
Another error is to sever valuation from history (like/dislike) and reduce it to a passionless, mathematical, discipline. This academic disconnectedness severs us from our past and alienates us from our ancestors.
Part of learning is to like and dislike things. It’s OK to be motivated by what you learn. It’s OK to dislike what you find out and who you find out about. This meme seems to want your head to learn but not your heart. Smacks of American Pragmatism which is probably why it’s a photo of American General George Custer in youth (1862.)
Turning into a robot to defeat NPC SJW Wokesters will mean winning every battle but losing the war. Careful who you choose to be your enemy if you plan to win by becoming him!
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