Why Study History??

I have found it’s not useful or productive to look at history as the distant past. There are so many ways we can connect to history, as people, as citizens, as living beings who experience many of the same issues as humans from so long ago. Bringing into the light injustices throughout history can teach people how to look for such things in the modern world, and maybe even bring an end to them.

For example, learning the history of science and math has shown me how cruel even the academic world can be, in shutting down the voices of people who truly deserve recognition, and how governments around the world can so quickly turn on their scientists and engineers for being “subversives” or “degenerates.” It’s important to learn about massive social upheavals like China’s “Cultural Revolution”and smaller but still terrible treatments of individuals like Alan Turing.

Why study history? People are people, and if we can understand the reasons certain people did terrible things, or why a society OF people decided to punish others for their religion, race, background, sexual orientation, or anything else, we might be able to pinpoint such factors today, and root them out.

Let’s not forget, though, the amazing achievements and creations we can find throughout history. As much as we can look at the mistakes and crimes of the past, we I find it’s just as helpful to look at the progressive achievements and beautiful art put out by great people.

So not only can we learn more about today by learning history, but we can see the past as more than eroded pillars and crumbled walls. We can work to preserve all remaining pieces of art and culture as well as we can, so everyone can appreciate what humans have done, and can do.