History: What is it Good For?
I have been reluctant to write on a public forum for some time, but I’m ready to share some thoughts on everyone’s favorite topic, History! In grade school, history is rammed down our throats and for most, it seems like an effort in futility. We argue, we complain and we are up in arms about learning this shit. If it already happened, why is it so important to study it? Those and many other questions swirl around in our young minds, as we try to understand the purpose of learning history.
Learning about leaders in the past, studying their behavior and the outcome of their actions. What does it all mean?
I didn’t care about history for most of my elementary, middle and high school years. I had a most magnificent teacher in middle school, Mrs. Head. I would later become friends with Mrs. Head in my adult life, but at the time I was her student, I LOATHED her class. Who cares about social studies, who cares about learning about the past or what may have happened yesterday. She was a good lady and she had amazing knowledge to share, but I didn’t get it yet.
Fast forward to high school. My interest in history was still defunct, as I was more interested in learning about computers and the innovation created by computers. I also liked cars, drinking wine coolers, earning money, watching movies and I was especially enamored at the concept of learning more about the opposite sex. History? Not interested.
I managed to get through high school and my grades were decent enough that I could be accepted into a four year college without too much difficulty. I knew that college was an additional pathway to success, but being an entrepreneur was also of great importance. Kicking off my second year of college, after I got the partying out of my system, I started a business with someone I had been romantically involved with since high school. We both saw a problem and envisioned the solution. It was an amazing experience, but still, learning history was not important because I kept wanting to move forward. I still thought being knowledgeable about the past was a waste of time.
At the grand opening of said business, things went south fast. At 18 years old, regardless of the outcome, I had pride in the fact that I took steps to start a business from the ground up. In addition to all the technical aspects of starting a business, I organized a build-out of a retail space and was pleased that I accomplished what I did. However, I wasn’t ready for such a venture because I still didn’t know the past well enough to move ahead into the future.
After selling off my portion of the business to my partner/boyfriend, I wanted to get as far from him as possible. I wanted to focus on my studies and put entrepreneurship on hold. I still wanted to make money, so I continued working my way through school. The difference now was how I looked at myself. I was ready to improve.
Moving from one state school to another meant core requirements would differ greatly. The California state school system was very poly-sci and history heavy. Florida schools cared more about math and science. This was a new awakening for me, as I had no history or poly-sci credits to my name.
I walked into my first American History class since grade school and met Professor Pitt. The experience with Professor Pitt enlightened me, such that I would do a 180 on my major, moving away from Business and instead, focus on a B.A. in History. I wasn’t a very good reader, had terrible comprehension skills, but knew that the challenge of learning history would be the best way to overcome these weaknesses. Plus, I finally realized the importance of learning about our past. Avoid repeating mistakes in the future.
So, I ultimately graduated with that B.A. in History and found my way into law school. With a law license, I still couldn’t see myself working for someone else and hung up my shingle. I was ready to be an entrepreneur again. But, I digress.
What did gaining all that knowledge in History really mean? It meant I was armed with knowledge of the past and having that knowledge of the past could assist me with the future. So, I maintain that having the knowledge of the past continues to be essential for moving onto the future. Currently, I find that I am frustrated with (and fear) existing leadership because too often, they fail to learn and/or do not see the value in understanding the past. The past will continue to be a guide for the future.
