I have been watching several historical shows lately. I am learning a lot. I am beginning to appreciate learning more about history and its relevance to the present. .
Unfortunately, history is written by the victors. I am realizing as I get older than I didn't get to hear all sides of a story growing up. I had always assumed that I am getting the objective true perspective. But that is so rare.
Now I find myself seeking to hear the side that isn't marketed the most. I remember listening to Mustafa - a friend and coworker at work - about his family in Palestine. He told me how hard he worked to bring about change back home. I remember visiting his home after his retirement. Behind the front door was a country's map. He explains that it was the map of Palestine at the time he left the country over 50 years ago. And he said - more than half of that country is no longer there. My heart bleeds as I see the pain in his eyes. This is the kind of perspective you will not see in movies and songs.
Before I came to the US, my knowledge of the American history was non-existent. With time and a lot of reading, I find myself getting familiar with it. Once again, I find some of the history buried and only the perspective of the winner being available more frequently. For instance, it took me a long time to understand what thanksgiving day was really about. There is a lot of things in the American history that isn't openly talked about and acknowledged. For whatever reason, certain aspect of the American history isn't easily available. It takes deliberate effort.
Now as I look for movies to watch, I find myself looking for the independent movies. I want the ones that tell me about history from a different perspective. I want to watch debates where both sides have an equal opportunity to share their thoughts. Where I get to understand things that are complicated and difficult. Malcom Gladwell's podcast Revisionist History is one such outlet that helps me understand history in a more diverse perspective.
Unfortunately, history is written by the victors. I am realizing as I get older than I didn't get to hear all sides of a story growing up. I had always assumed that I am getting the objective true perspective. But that is so rare.
Now I find myself seeking to hear the side that isn't marketed the most. I remember listening to Mustafa - a friend and coworker at work - about his family in Palestine. He told me how hard he worked to bring about change back home. I remember visiting his home after his retirement. Behind the front door was a country's map. He explains that it was the map of Palestine at the time he left the country over 50 years ago. And he said - more than half of that country is no longer there. My heart bleeds as I see the pain in his eyes. This is the kind of perspective you will not see in movies and songs.
Before I came to the US, my knowledge of the American history was non-existent. With time and a lot of reading, I find myself getting familiar with it. Once again, I find some of the history buried and only the perspective of the winner being available more frequently. For instance, it took me a long time to understand what thanksgiving day was really about. There is a lot of things in the American history that isn't openly talked about and acknowledged. For whatever reason, certain aspect of the American history isn't easily available. It takes deliberate effort.
Now as I look for movies to watch, I find myself looking for the independent movies. I want the ones that tell me about history from a different perspective. I want to watch debates where both sides have an equal opportunity to share their thoughts. Where I get to understand things that are complicated and difficult. Malcom Gladwell's podcast Revisionist History is one such outlet that helps me understand history in a more diverse perspective.
Like the Romans conquering the barbarian tribes of Europe, the Persian and Greek empires, or the Chinese dynasties. The united grow stronger and conquer, the divided are swept aside and disappear from history.
It's the most objective history lesson there is, the rest is just politics.
In a little bit maybe China/South Korea can even be the new history of histories... so long as enough literature is created from these petri dishes.