The History Lesson (haibun)

“Why do we have to learn about something that doesn’t effect us?” the small, blonde student asked me. “I mean, it was ages ago, and not even in our country.”

She might as well have run me through the heart with a stake, the pain of her words struck me so deeply.  I considered her:  an average student, indulged, youngest child, modestly dressed, like many of her age. Disinterested.

Because without our awareness, and interference, history repeats itself, I wanted to say.  Because nothing that happens in the world happens in isolation; we are not immune. Because ignorance makes victims of us all.

Instead, I sent the class home with an assignment:  ask questions, call your grandparents, find someone who remembers, and be prepared to share what you have discovered.

History foretells –
casts eerie shadows over
disregard’s future.

(Reposting The History Lesson as it remains pertinent. Photo collage my own)

Published by

Unknown's avatar

VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

47 thoughts on “The History Lesson (haibun)”

  1. Well done! I couldn’t agree more. I was very fortunate to have had a father who regularly included history in our conversations when my brother and I were children and even more so when we became teens. History was just part of life. I love the class assignment you came up with.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Kavita. I just read your about page and you have it all – a passion for telling stories and a family that supports you. You I have been blogging for thirteen years now. Keep going and find your voice.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Pingback: The History Lesson (haibun) – Anika Singh

  4. Yes, it is still so pertinent today. I am glad you shared it again. I don’t know many really young people right now, but I am very proud of my 33 year old daughter who has become much more of a political activist than I ever was. I am not sure what she knows about the Nazi reign or how my dad, her grandfather, fought as a young adult to end that reign of terror. But she does remember the last trump administration and she is fighting tooth and nail to keep that from happening again – all the way down ticket. Good for her! And good for you for posting this.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Pingback: 244 – History v2 – Beach Walk Reflections: Thoughts from thinking while walking

  8. love this, VJ and it’s a a question I hear and get often from the younger generation. The disconnect is unnerving but the survival of it is understandable in a way my heart will never understand.. xo ❣️

    Liked by 1 person

    2. It’s a disconnect that’s disconcerting. Do they realize how many things in our daily lives are dictated by our past? From why there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour to the distance between railway tracks to some of our basic tenants. And how does that old proverb go? Those that do not understand history are doomed to repeat it?

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Pretty much, VJ. The issue is we all think we’re different and disconnected. We’re more connected than we know, and every action has an effect that you probably will not see.

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.