This was a delightful read. I come from a history-obsessed family, though it was mostly American history that appealed to a very assimilated, white family. A lot of Civil War and WWII history, and the like, and often the same narratives and perspectives repeated over and over again. It wasn't until I broke away from that, and began to seek out different voices, that learning history taught me so much about empathy. There's a quote about how the purpose of art is to "plow and harrow the soul," and history has served that function for me. For me at least, it is difficult to continue seeing different peoples and countries in black-and-white once you've learned about where they came from and what they've gone through.
Good stuff, I'm an anarchist punk from the west of Ireland myself, and damn if a history of oppression doesn't give you the right foundation to know you need to take a stand to defend what you have. There's so many things that need defending right now but we gotta look after each other and keep up the fight. If someone told me 10 years back that Florida today would look like some sort of aspiring banana republic I would have thought they were crazy.
The horror of American society is more than the erasure of American history. It is the destruction of even the immediate past, which is a great way to control and use a people.
More, culture is the accumulation of the past much as an old growth forest, a lifelong home, a garden, even an old library is so much more alive; how can Americans have a culture of of our own when ignorance is constantly imposed on us by those who rule us?
People have complained about the lack of understanding, wisdom, and foresight in American society and especially government. All that comes from living, about remembering it, and then thinking. But they want us to be mindless workers ceaselessly struggling to survive unable to have the energy to remember and think.
While I’ve been a life-long history nerd, I found this essay both relatable and refreshing. I think my passion for history actually stems from feeling like the “official” version was incomplete, and as a kid obsessed with detective stories, I was very determined to figure out whatever was missing from the versions adults gave us as children. I’ve had the benefit of learning the way that you have, from fellow activists and links in the eternal chain, and I have strangely found myself in the position, in my forties, of hearing “go ask [me], she met [deceased respected community member], you should hear her stories.” It has reminded me that while whiteness values written ledgers, most of the history of the human race is passed through oral traditions, which is why white supremacists target what the west calls “art” and what humans throughout time have mostly just called “wisdom and knowledge.” One of the most revolutionary acts in which we can participate is to sing our history and wisdom so loudly that it distracts even those tasked with maintaining the ledgers. Thanks for this beautiful reminder of the value of the history hidden in plain sight, and of our sacred duty to pass it on to the next generation.
Check out her podcast! Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff. Beautiful, heartfelt, inspiring stories of people throughout history trying and dreaming and learning and resisting. Each of the examples listed have been covered in their own episodes in depth already! 🥰
This was a delightful read. I come from a history-obsessed family, though it was mostly American history that appealed to a very assimilated, white family. A lot of Civil War and WWII history, and the like, and often the same narratives and perspectives repeated over and over again. It wasn't until I broke away from that, and began to seek out different voices, that learning history taught me so much about empathy. There's a quote about how the purpose of art is to "plow and harrow the soul," and history has served that function for me. For me at least, it is difficult to continue seeing different peoples and countries in black-and-white once you've learned about where they came from and what they've gone through.
Good stuff, I'm an anarchist punk from the west of Ireland myself, and damn if a history of oppression doesn't give you the right foundation to know you need to take a stand to defend what you have. There's so many things that need defending right now but we gotta look after each other and keep up the fight. If someone told me 10 years back that Florida today would look like some sort of aspiring banana republic I would have thought they were crazy.
I have been thinking a lot about whiteness lately, but love that you've captured that it is the erasure of history in exchange for power over others.
That was a welcome way to start my day. Thank you!
I love this! Thank you for writing it, as it gives me even more hope.
gorgeous essay!!
Ha, this rules.
The horror of American society is more than the erasure of American history. It is the destruction of even the immediate past, which is a great way to control and use a people.
More, culture is the accumulation of the past much as an old growth forest, a lifelong home, a garden, even an old library is so much more alive; how can Americans have a culture of of our own when ignorance is constantly imposed on us by those who rule us?
People have complained about the lack of understanding, wisdom, and foresight in American society and especially government. All that comes from living, about remembering it, and then thinking. But they want us to be mindless workers ceaselessly struggling to survive unable to have the energy to remember and think.
While I’ve been a life-long history nerd, I found this essay both relatable and refreshing. I think my passion for history actually stems from feeling like the “official” version was incomplete, and as a kid obsessed with detective stories, I was very determined to figure out whatever was missing from the versions adults gave us as children. I’ve had the benefit of learning the way that you have, from fellow activists and links in the eternal chain, and I have strangely found myself in the position, in my forties, of hearing “go ask [me], she met [deceased respected community member], you should hear her stories.” It has reminded me that while whiteness values written ledgers, most of the history of the human race is passed through oral traditions, which is why white supremacists target what the west calls “art” and what humans throughout time have mostly just called “wisdom and knowledge.” One of the most revolutionary acts in which we can participate is to sing our history and wisdom so loudly that it distracts even those tasked with maintaining the ledgers. Thanks for this beautiful reminder of the value of the history hidden in plain sight, and of our sacred duty to pass it on to the next generation.
really want to know who all the historical anarchists you described are now. fantastic article
Check out her podcast! Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff. Beautiful, heartfelt, inspiring stories of people throughout history trying and dreaming and learning and resisting. Each of the examples listed have been covered in their own episodes in depth already! 🥰
thanks so much for introducing me to it, idk how I hadn't seen it before
I hope you enjoy it! Genuinely one of my favourite things 💜