Above you will see, a small console table with various bits on it. I have just added Lotta's two glass animals which she brought back from Venice for me so many years ago. So already it becomes crowded, notice mostly animals, my white elephant taking pride of place. For you always have to have an elephant in the room! Each object has a memory of course. But what of other memories?
The following draft of a book of my first father-in-law's work in Africa in the Copper Belt, is amongst my belongings, something I must have acquired along the way. What does it contain, it starts from 1929, almost a hundred years ago.
It has a history of course, there are several drafts scattered around the family, and, (I have just learnt this) whilst in Switzerland a few weeks back, Andrew was tasked with doing the same job. He mentioned a UN contact, as Con worked for UNESCO later on in life.
Well a little delving, and I found someone who had written on the subject of colonial education, and chasing his tail through expensive American internet sites have finally written to someone in England, we will see if he answers back.
In today's world such things as colonialism spikes a rush of adrenalin in our outspoken youth. When you try to explain to them 'things were different in the olden days' they are blank-eyed never having gone as far as the itty-bitty information on their phones - which tells them to bristle with indignation at the wicked ways of the past!
Funnily enough I have just, moments ago, written a comment on another blog that has a tangential relevance here too. I wrote:
ReplyDeleteJudging the words of say Victorian or even mid 20th century authors by today's standards is I believe unfair. I've recently re-read a huge number of Graham Greene novels and his language is clearly racist by today's standards (as is Agatha Christie and thousand others...) but they are also brilliant and I think we have to see the language he uses and many of the attitudes he describes in the context if the period in which he lived. As a writer I am always conscious that our generation will be criticised in the future for words, actions and attitudes that we don't see as problematic today.
Yes of course the past is always coloured by the behaviour of the times. I haven't read the draft through, because basically I remember the interesting bits of their time in Africa. Lotta's gun kept under her pillow as she was often left alone whilst Con drove to the different schools as an educational officer. But one thing about Con is the fact that he was not racist, a gentle and good soul is how I saw him. Taught history is often biased, for instance our role in the last two world wars was not as gung-ho as is formally written down. Prejudice shines through in any age, and we should not lose sight of different opinions and views from the past.
DeleteRachel has just written about this.
ReplyDeleteYes I read her blog, again film interpretation is subjective in how we read it. Never was one for the 'me too' brigade, sometimes I think we live in a maudlin sea of misery against the perceived injustices the world heaps on us!
DeleteIt just was. I think that we should be able to look back on it and acknowledge that we know better now. Here there is such a rush to ban the teaching of anything which might show us as being in the wrong. One school board in Texas even said that 'both sides of the holocaust need to be fairly depicted'. The idea that there even IS a positive side the holocaust is sickening. Just teach it. All of it. The good, the bad, the ugly. Let people learn the lessons of it and move forward.
ReplyDeleteForthright, and written with feeling Debby, as you always are. Very true in what you say, the trouble is no matter how hard we look at past history it still gets repeated.
DeleteUnfortunately, this is true, Thelma.
DeleteIt is a huge mistake to judge the past with the jaundiced and prejudiced eye of the present. At Uni, I was taught to be very aware of what cultural baggage I was bringing to the table when there was a debate - in other words, to keep an open mind and deeply examine the evidence before writing anything, or discussing it.
ReplyDeleteOr even guessing the past as they do in archaeology. Mike Parker Pearson goes galloping off on one of his theories. Two years later it is replaced by another. Speculation is a wondrous thing, as long as it remains that and is not taken for fact.
DeleteI began teaching college in the midst of the war in Vietnam. My students included Vietnamese students and discharged GI's. There was no problem with the culture, which both points of view appreciated, but the GI's use of pejorative adjectives.
ReplyDeleteWar is a dirty business anyway Joanne. But coming together is healing.
DeleteNot everyone has the time nor the energy to think for themselves. It's easier to just go with the Instagram/Twitter/ Facebook flow Oppressed = Good, Colonialism = Bad, Men = Predators, Women = Victims, Black = Noble, White = Privileged etc..
ReplyDeleteA good summing up Y/P. A short, sharp soundbite is of course a bit like click bait or headlines ready to capture you.
DeleteNice to be back and picking up the pieces,
ReplyDeleteAnd lovely to see you back Pat. But do remember to rest and take it easy, we are all here to support you. X
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