Common Sense: The Cost of Ignoring History

Common Sense: Why History Still Matters in a World That’s Forgotten It

The Illusion of “Best Ever”

When someone is willing to call anyone the best or worst ever on a given topic, they probably should actually have actual knowledge of “ever.” The problem today is we have multiple generations with little to no knowledge of historical events. To rank James K. Polk as an American President, you do need to know he actually held the office.

The Me Generation Revisited

Before anyone jumps to the conclusion is this another Boomer whining about other generations failing to grasp how wonderful we are, the point here is the complete opposite. Before we were mostly known as Baby Boomers, we were called the Me Generation.

According to Mr. Google, author Tom Wolfe coined the phrase in 1976. It captures the move “away from social activism towards self-absorption, introspection, and hedonism.” The priority in life moved in the direction of prioritizing individual happiness over societal duty.

A Shift in Perspective Across Generations

It is fair to say my generation took to this approach with a vengeance. Life began and ended with what brought pleasure, and our lifetime was the definition of history. There is a tremendous difference between what this has come to mean within our own generation and subsequent generations, especially millennials and Gen Zers.

In my generation, we were at least exposed to a fair-minded discussion of events from other generations, even going back to ancient times. That is not the case for these other generations. Instead, their exposure suffers from one or both of two central deficiencies.

The Knowledge Gap Problem

First of all, as previously observed, you need at least be exposed to history and historical events to have any opinions on topics that go further back than your own life. This lack of exposure is not restricted to the big matters in life. Read some rating of the “greatest quarterbacks of all time.”

If it goes as far back as Joe Montana, that is a deep dive. Johnny Unitas, Bobby Layne, Otto Graham, Sid Luckman? The people doing the ratings have never heard of them. If they have any knowledge of these lads, everything falls into the “such better athletes today” bucket. That automatically translates into no reason to include them. No chance the great athletes of yesteryear would have benefitted from and taken advantage of modern training techniques, diet, etc. and done just fine. Most of all, there is no need to even consider adjusting the overall view on things from “best of all time” to “best of their era.” By definition, you only get to compete in one era. Call it birthday prejudice.

History Through a Narrow Lens

The second problem is the easily ascertained and confirmed reality that what is being taught in our schools today about American history comes closer to Soviet style indoctrination than any sort of actual education. History for them is to be seen through the singular lens that a bunch of white men of European descent used the evil system of capitalism to cause the enslavement and suffering of all others, going back to “stealing the land.”

In world affairs, the United States is guilty of imperialism on the one hand and the failure to come to the aid of those truly in need of our assistance on the other. In other words, we are the bad guys.

How We Got Here

What is being taught today is the product of the combination of the Me Generation turning our backs on history (diminishing its importance) and allowing our children (the Millennials) to be taught a limited in scope history from a social justice advocacy point of view. We did not just wake up where are. We made it happen. I see no indication the Millennials are fighting a battle to return to an emphasis on the balanced teaching of history. Given what Boomers have done and allowed, why would they?

A Call for Context and Balance

To reflect an informed view, we first need to put a premium on taking the time to review the history and culture of a wider span of history, maintaining a respect for historical context and comparison to other societies at that these same points in time. Second, we must make an honest attempt to evaluate historical events taking context into account. Slavery can be an awful and terrible institution without demanding that we agree that it defines us. History deserves to be more than a political-ideological conclusion in search of confirming information.

Common Sense Conclusion

Common Sense: History is intrinsically important. Approaching it and teaching requires a respect for that history. It also entails a fair attitude and regard for historical context. We would all be the better for it.