Choosing your reality

Imbedded in my long-term memory (and that of probably most of Generation X) is the rhyme I learned in elementary school: “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue". Then I was tested on the name and date, and we moved onto the next fact. But it is much more important to understand the why and how of history than just know important figures and dates.  

There are a couple important things to keep in mind as we look at history.  First, everyone has a bias, whether they realize it or not.  This applies to all people regardless of when or where they lived.  Second, as we study history, we can’t forget that the “winners” write history which, as we will see repeatedly, can be problematic. 

Let’s go back to Columbus.  Now, many years later, I teach high school history and every year after I give the lesson on Columbus, I ask my students:  "why should anyone care that Columbus left Europe? Was his trek across the ocean ultimately 'good' or 'bad'"? And “what is a savage and what is a civilization"?  I encourage people to pick a side and defend it.  Together, my students are able to look at both sides of any issue and, even though they still may disagree, come to an common understanding.

I share random history stories that I find incredibly interesting, and many are relevant to today. My goal is to build a shared understanding based on what we discover.