I am a librarian/archivist and specialize in 20th century history. Attitudes and choices of the past when viewed with the understanding of the present will feel uncomfortable.
This doesn't mean we quit studying history.
Learning from the past will make us better people if we allow it. We can recognize prejudice and racism, and determine that we will act differently. We can by example teach our children and grandchildren, neighbors and friends.
@MelissaHDavis i *almost* went to school for my MLIS and concertrate in Archival Studies. Loved working at a uni library but jobs are tough to get right now. So i didn't go back to school :)
Nice to meet you --
@coolserenity It's never too late!
@MelissaHDavis i just left the uni - no tuition remission now :( It's all good -- I had a blast when I worked there.
@MelissaHDavis nice. Agree.
for us, as Native Americans, history still affects our present and informs our future. thereās great value in understanding where you come from and what your ancestors survived.. how they lived and died.
@MelissaHDavis I'll take a real librarian over a Google search any day. Librarians are the BEST!
@MelissaHDavis yes, the argument that we shouldnāt make our little kiddies feel bad in school learning about how Black people were mistreated during segregation and slavery is ridiculous. Thatās like saying studying Nazi history will make little German boys and girls uncomfortable. It should. The Germans have taken responsibility in large part for what they did to the Jews during Hitlerās reign. Many Americans want to avoid that introspection.
Studying history is not the same as celebrating the ugly parts; it is seeing in context why.
We are human and we will make mistakes and bad choices. Future historians will critique our choices.
Let's make it hard on them, though, by being as kind, inclusive, and unselfish as we can possibly be.
Go out there and do good things today.