Everyone I’m sure has heard that history is written by the victor. Stories recovered from the rubble of a historical battle are told by those with enough strength to stand amidst those who have perished. Gerda Lerner and Ella Shohat display the often narrow view of the master narrative of history and allow that which is forgotten to peak through.Gerda Lerner’s article “Why History Matters,” is incredibly relevant when you consider the large gaps in the history of women and many races. She exposes the creation of the dominant narrative as she writes, “these stories of the brave and good deeds of powerful rulers serve both to legitimize power and to maintain it by establishing the official version of events as the dominant version” (202). “Doing history” is unfortunately only given to the powerful as the disadvantaged groups in society are ignored and often stereotyped as a result.
The two articles seek to continually remind the reader that history cannot be stopped and is also doomed to be repeated. The formation of history is a continual process of forgetting and remembering. However, in society today we choose to remember when it suits our needs. As Mark Twain once said, “It is not worthwhile to try to keep history from repeating itself, for man’s character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible.” Maybe because of the timing or merely the unfortunate example it provides, the selfish nature of what is remembered can be illustrated with the attacks on September 11, 2001. Human rights issues occurring in the Middle East surrounding the oppression of women were largely ignored by mainstream media until after the tragedy, and the targeting of terrorists. Discussions of the “heroic” nature of suicide bombers in parts of the Middle East were overshadowed by the often overwhe
lming loss of life of men, women, and children. The “forgetting” of certain topics and issues in the history of the world allowed for the construction of a new "story" viewing Muslims as “fundamentalists,” and “terrorists” working against the ideals of democracy which the United States was founded on.But another dilemma surrounding the act of remembering is the possibility of remembering too much. Acknowledging the oppression of women in other countries, Americans would be forced to look back into history to witness the struggle for women to gain a voice and have the right to rule over their own lives. Remembering the use of suicide bombing on kamikaze flight missions carried out by the Japanese in World War II, we would have to acknowledge the subsequent use of the atomic bomb, to end a war which was quickly losing momentum anyway. The power of history is not solely in the hands of the victors, but rather in the selective nature of the way we write our own history in a positive light.
Remembering history is an endless cycle if those in power allow the cycle to take its course. The forgetting of events in World War II and the oppression of women in the history of America allowed society to overlook the suffering of women in other societies and the possible “terrorist” actions of our own country.
There is no mourning for the history that is forgotten and rarely a celebration for that which is remembered. Being connected to history and being allowed to play a part in its creation and remembrance, will allow the present to be transformed and affect the future in a positive way.
Blog Post Written By: Jennifer Kowalski
Pictures Courtesy of Flickr- "Flawed Fathers"- "Inside Afghanistan"
4 comments:
What do you mean by "doing" history? I think we all have an equal part in it, however we don't have an equal part in the story being told of it. For what is passed down is determined by those who have the power over it.
As for history repeating itself, I loved how it said in the reading that past history should be looked at as an analogy rather than an example. I think this phrase is key to how we look back and make decisions today regarding the future.
I agree with you, Jen, how history is written to reflect positively on the ones who are writing it. Just look in our high school American history text books! It's all a power struggle and whoever is left and where they stand in our hierarchy is the force that "educated" perpetuating a tainted view of events or even straight lies.
"To the victor goes the spoils" The phrase perturbs me, because it makes me wonder what happens to everone else? I like how Jen did not give all the spoils to the victor when she states, "The power of history is not solely in the hands of the victors, but rather in the selective nature of the way we write our own history in a positive light". Women were not considered the typical "Victors" in history, but today women not only take a more active role in the present but also have been able to add to history. Great point Jen!
Thanks for your response Kiowa! The phrase "doing history" was actually used by Lerner in her essay, "Why History Matters." I agree that everyone plays a part in history, where the construction of history is almost performative and therefore requiring everyone to "do" something.
I completely agree about the writing of American history text books and how they are affected by the power struggle. Just consider how certain events in American history may be taught in particular regions of the United States. For instance, how are the centuries of slavery examined and discussed in classrooms in the Southern United States? How might the events of history and the way they are taught differ because of funding provided to the school or whether the school or university is public or private?
Anonymous, whoever you may be, I agree that those who may not be the typical "victor" in society can gain a voice in history. Consider what state our country would be in if we had "forgotten" the actions and words of African Americans involved in the abolition of slavery and those fighting for the equality of all human beings in society. Other races, classes, sexualities, abilities, etc., have been able to add to history in a positive way to insure that the past struggle for an equal voice and place in society would be remembered and guaranteed.
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