History, a Dusty Old Book or Reality?
I’ve heard it several times. But this time it hit a nerve.
It was at the Bill Maher’s show. (Thank the gods for Bill Maher)
“But we didn’t know what was going to happen in Iraq”
(What did you say…? I beg your pardon..
What do you mean… we didn’t know…
I’m not with you on this one, maybe another one, but not this one…Not.
Nor are with you all the people who showed up on the streets and protested around the world against the war.
Nor the people and communities who gathered in their houses to share the pain of impotence, looking at each other with dismay and disbelief.
We all knew. We have a relationship with History. We have a sense of human nature.
We know that if foreign people invade our houses with weapons, kill the SOB of our father, plus a few family members, and take our resources from our own home, to give us candy afterwards, we are not going to be happy. After all, is our house and our father. Regardless of how evil he was and how weird our way of living seems to the foreign people who invaded us. We’ve been doing this for centuries. It’s Our blood… Our tribe… Our territory. Basic human needs. If those needs are taken away, there is not much else to lose. Is there…?
We also know that Iraq’s political borders are recent, enclosing diverse and millenary cultures in an artificially marked territory… “A country younger than Paul Newman”, in Bill Maher’s words. Another fact that doesn’t make things better at this point, after the fact . Don’t you think that we should get it by now?
Messing with people’s houses, territory, and blood, will only make them want to die for the cause… is a worthy cause, isn’t it? Wouldn’t we do the same? What else do they have to lose?. It’s just human nature. Somebody interfering with the natural order of things and most primary needs of a group of human beings is not going to become their favorite person, or hero by magic. No matter how much you wish. Not even in 50 years.
“It’s amazing” -said my father-”that the Vietnamese won the Vietnam war with a bowl of rice, rudimentary weapons, and agricultural tools. Americans spent the same amount of money spent in the 2nd world war.”
And we went on to have the conversation about the strength of the human spirit and how the power of fighting to defend your land in your land, changes the rules of the game, putting the forces of power to test. Transforming weakness into power and power into weakness. Facilitating the emergence of a larger power. The power of the human condition. We were talking about it in the 70s…!
“The Vietnam Conflict” happened in our lifetime. Less than 50 years ago. Oblivion to history and the lessons carrying the knowledge of the experience is a pretty alarming thing when it comes from anybody in a position of authority. Unless there are other interests, of course, in which case, the experience becomes irrelevant.
Salvadorean people have a great saying. Trying “to cover the sun with one finger.”is a pretty futile enterprise.
In the nineties, I had a poster in my bedroom with a picture of Albert Einstein that read his quote: “Knowledge is only experience”. I would wake up every day with Albert Einstein reminding me, that my experience was worth living, because it woud derive in knowledge. Exactly as it is. It stayed there, on the wall, for several years. I guess I took it out when the message was incorporated in my system.
History is there, at your disposal, as a huge database of information.How are you going to go through an experience like the Vietnam war, neglect to check the manual, and top it off repeating the scenario not even 40 years later…It’s not even enough time to heal the wounds of a generation. It’s just simple straightforward temerary adolescent thinking.
Mind you, as far as I am concerned, the only group of people who can assert the right of not having a relationship with history whatsoever, are teenagers. They don’t have much historical experience yet. You can’t blame them. They are expressing the omnipotent ignorance of not being able to relate to sufficient points of reference. No pertinent experience, not enough knowledge.
They are the only ones entitled to see history as a dusty old book. They march on the task of breaking the ties with the older generation, riding the wave of their independence with hormonal passion. The growing pains. Endearing behavior to be observed and supported. We all have been there, done that. Yes, I know sometimes is pretty annoying. However, it’s a stage of life to be celebrated. Comes once in a lifetime and it belongs with adolescence, not with middle age.
Not having the awareness of being history in the making today. Disregarding the need to revisit the historical reference of the past, will not make things better in 50 years. The pattern will continue to repeat itself. Leaving you with uncertain hopes rooted in wishful thinking. The alternative is much more attractive and effective. Consulting the database of history and weaving the relationship between personal and world history with action thinking, will bring a sense of completion and satisfaction to your soul. It means you are actively participating in the evolution process.
So, my friend, don’t include me in your we. You believe what you believe, and I greatly respect it, but don’t expect me to share your beliefs. We are not on the same page on this one.)
Luz
The Thought Provoking, Irreverent Pearl Necklace Grandmother of the 21st C.
Paradigm Shifter, Poet, Storyteller, Marketer, Visionary, Blogger, Coach.
Founder Soul Hangout http://soulhangout.net2171
Founder of Co-Creative Circles of Coherence, Soul Mastermind Groups. ConsciouslyConnecting & Combining Intelligence with a touch of “Curry”. The 7 “C”‘s of the 7 Condiments of Cooperation
Luz
The Thought Provoking, Irreverent Pearl Necklace Grandmother of the 21st C. Paradigm Shifter, Poet, Storyteller, Marketer, Visionary, Blogger, Coach. Mrs. Fire
“50/50 The Magic of the Middle Line”, Experience Coaching”
Founder Soul Hangout & Co-Creative Circles of Coherence, Soul Mastermind Groups. Consciously Connecting & Combining Intelligence with a touch of “Curry”. The 7 “C”‘s of the 7 Condiments of Cooperation
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History, a dusty old book or reality?
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3 Responses to “History, a Dusty Old Book or Reality?”
- Jennifer Says:
February 14th, 2008 at 11:01 pm eVery well put! I love reading your writing, so keep it up!
- Luz Says:
February 15th, 2008 at 5:54 am eThanks Jennifer, I love reading your writing too! You also keep it up girl, you are amazing. Best to all of you. Happy Valentine day.
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I wrote this on February 11th, 2008. It is incredible how relevant it is now :) When you don't understand history you can't see a purpose in life. It is easy to fall into the profit trap.
