Wish I paid more attention in history classes
I am, like so many, very troubled by the current events. And not just those in our country, but throughout the world. There seems to be a major movement towards conservative nationalism everywhere. I find this very frightening for all who don't fit the mold of those in power. I fear for the next few decades.
I loved history class when in school and did retain quite a bit, but am feeling like not quite enough. My sense is that the saying "history repeats itself" is based on centuries of facts. My sense is the world has been here before with extreme and dire consequences and not so extreme and dire consequences. My sense is the world has moved from those deadly and destructive places to places of tolerance and acceptance. My sense is that, despite the repetition of two steps back, three steps forward, history shows a slow and bumpy progression towards a more equitable, accepting, caring place.
But, that is just my sense. I wish I paid more attention to the cycles of history to know, is this just my persistent optimism or is there a basis in historical fact?
If I don't have this to hold onto, I have little basis for hope for the future, and that is just too despairing. So, fact or hope, I am placing the current events into a continuum spanning many, many years and praying and believing that just as we have sunk so low, we will rise to a better place than where we started.
I loved history class when in school and did retain quite a bit, but am feeling like not quite enough. My sense is that the saying "history repeats itself" is based on centuries of facts. My sense is the world has been here before with extreme and dire consequences and not so extreme and dire consequences. My sense is the world has moved from those deadly and destructive places to places of tolerance and acceptance. My sense is that, despite the repetition of two steps back, three steps forward, history shows a slow and bumpy progression towards a more equitable, accepting, caring place.
But, that is just my sense. I wish I paid more attention to the cycles of history to know, is this just my persistent optimism or is there a basis in historical fact?
If I don't have this to hold onto, I have little basis for hope for the future, and that is just too despairing. So, fact or hope, I am placing the current events into a continuum spanning many, many years and praying and believing that just as we have sunk so low, we will rise to a better place than where we started.
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