History textbooks and mainstream scholarship tend to focus on the usable past rather than presenting the historic record truthfully. The past becomes usable when writers of history choose to include or omit certain events and people in order to mesh with a modern political agenda.
The question, then, is not what did you learn in school, but rather how were you taught? Were you required to memorize or encouraged to think? Did your teachers demand you to know or invite you to experience? Ultimately, the goal of education should not be to engender loyalist, patriotic nationalism. The purpose of education should be to encourage informed, patriotic or not, activism.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
War Strategies: The Crusades and the War on Terror
As the story goes, about 950 years ago the Christian Church began a mission to eradicate the world of non-Christians: the Crusades. The story, however, often neglects to mention (or we prefer not to listen) the strategic motivations of the Crusaders. Not only were they fighting for their religion, but they were fighting to keep their land and preserve their way of life. Islam was quickly spreading through Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and northern Africa, thus encroaching into Christian territories.
From this map you can see how Islam began to encroach into Christian Europe via the Iberian peninsula (Spain) and Asia Minor. Church leaders knew that if Islam spread into their territories, priests and bishops would have to vie for power against mullahs and mujtahids. This would not do and so Church leaders devised a plan to prevent it. Once Constantinople was "attacked" the Church's fear of losing it's land, power, and way of life reached a decisive point. They were so gripped by the fear of a deluge of Muslims and a mass conversion of Europeans that something drastic had to be done.
Ultimately, leaders of the Holy Roman Empire decided that defensive tactics were not enough. They had to show potent uses of force in order to succeed. One city stood out as the best option for places to wage war: Jerusalem. It was a Christian holy city because of Jesus, but it was also a Muslim holy city because of Mohammed. If the Christians launched a war against the Muslims in Jerusalem, then they would have to draw forces from across Islamic territories. The fight for Jerusalem was on and the plan to save Christian Europe had succeeded - Muslims in Europe proceeded no further and later were removed from Spain via the Spanish Inquisition.
What interests me about these events is their striking similarities to the modern War on Terror. The strategy is basically the same. Afghanistan's and Iraq's locations in the Islamic world make them great places to "take the fight to them." Both countries border Iran. Along with that, we have a military ally in Pakistan and an economic partner in Saudi Arabia.
The fragmentation of Islamic central Asia is impossible to overlook. The States claim that they are not planning an attack on Iran, but what do you suppose the Iranians think? If you have any knowledge of the Bay of Pigs invasion, then you're fully aware of how the Iranians might feel. No wonder they want nuclear weapons.
From this map you can see how Islam began to encroach into Christian Europe via the Iberian peninsula (Spain) and Asia Minor. Church leaders knew that if Islam spread into their territories, priests and bishops would have to vie for power against mullahs and mujtahids. This would not do and so Church leaders devised a plan to prevent it. Once Constantinople was "attacked" the Church's fear of losing it's land, power, and way of life reached a decisive point. They were so gripped by the fear of a deluge of Muslims and a mass conversion of Europeans that something drastic had to be done.Ultimately, leaders of the Holy Roman Empire decided that defensive tactics were not enough. They had to show potent uses of force in order to succeed. One city stood out as the best option for places to wage war: Jerusalem. It was a Christian holy city because of Jesus, but it was also a Muslim holy city because of Mohammed. If the Christians launched a war against the Muslims in Jerusalem, then they would have to draw forces from across Islamic territories. The fight for Jerusalem was on and the plan to save Christian Europe had succeeded - Muslims in Europe proceeded no further and later were removed from Spain via the Spanish Inquisition.
What interests me about these events is their striking similarities to the modern War on Terror. The strategy is basically the same. Afghanistan's and Iraq's locations in the Islamic world make them great places to "take the fight to them." Both countries border Iran. Along with that, we have a military ally in Pakistan and an economic partner in Saudi Arabia.
The fragmentation of Islamic central Asia is impossible to overlook. The States claim that they are not planning an attack on Iran, but what do you suppose the Iranians think? If you have any knowledge of the Bay of Pigs invasion, then you're fully aware of how the Iranians might feel. No wonder they want nuclear weapons.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Wheel
If you read this blog, then you probably know me. If you know me, then you probably know that I was on Wheel of Fortune last night. If you knew I was on the show and didn't watch it, then I hate you and wish you didn't know me.
It was weird watching myself on TV. Who knew I was so handsome? Well, I did. But, who else? The number was probably limited to those who have seen me in person. Now, however, a good portion of the game show viewing public is fully aware of my stunning good looks. I've already had to turn down a few autograph requests from neighbors in my apartment complex.
The show itself, was a heck of a lot of fun. When I say heck, I mean HECK! (Capital letters followed by an exclamation point indicates a strong vocalization of the word). Vanna White is much smaller and older than I thought. Pat is short, but he wants to be taller than everyone else. If you were paying close attention you noticed I was about the same height as the other contestants. If you know me, then you know (already went over the Greek god part) that I tower over most people. By most I mean everybody except for professional basketball players. Where do those freaks come from?!? Anyway, the contestant stage is divided into three (duh) parts. Each person has a lift under their feet so everyone can appear the same height on television. They told me it had something to do with the 19th Amendment. That was fine with me. What wasn't fine with me was Pat's use of the lift.
Whenever Pat stood next to me he made use of the lift to appear taller than me! Who is this guy? I wanted to punch him off his high horse, er, pedestal. How dare he make claim to superior height status. I swallowed my pride and continued with the show.
After the show was over (none of the following events actually occurred) Pat met us all back stage to congratulate us. As he approached me to shake my hand I bent his thumb back a la Steven Seagal. "Who's taller now ya little bitch?" I said. As his knees buckled I kicked him in the balls. That sprung his torso and head toward me and I thought he was coming in for a head butt. I poked him in the eyes a la Moe Howard - he's apparently not familiar with Curly's hand to nose defense. Then, his left hand shot up to grab his stinging eyes, but I thought he was going for the Vulcan nerve pinch. I intercepted his hand with my teeth and bit off his thumb, which is the most dangerous of the five fingers. Without his thumb, spraying blood in the air, Pat went into shock. His eyes rolled back in his head and he started seizing and foaming at the mouth. But, I thought he was conjuring up a demon so I grabbed his nostrils with my two fore fingers, lifted him off the ground, and held him there until he stopped twitching. I released him and his limp body fell to the ground. Evidently, he stopped breathing. I called 911 from a nearby phone and then walked toward the exit. After witnessing the entire ordeal, Vanna thanked me on my way out. Not for calling 911, but in her words, "thank you for setting that little shit straight." I said, "No problem, I had a lot of fun. Have you seen that blond bitch?"
It was weird watching myself on TV. Who knew I was so handsome? Well, I did. But, who else? The number was probably limited to those who have seen me in person. Now, however, a good portion of the game show viewing public is fully aware of my stunning good looks. I've already had to turn down a few autograph requests from neighbors in my apartment complex.
The show itself, was a heck of a lot of fun. When I say heck, I mean HECK! (Capital letters followed by an exclamation point indicates a strong vocalization of the word). Vanna White is much smaller and older than I thought. Pat is short, but he wants to be taller than everyone else. If you were paying close attention you noticed I was about the same height as the other contestants. If you know me, then you know (already went over the Greek god part) that I tower over most people. By most I mean everybody except for professional basketball players. Where do those freaks come from?!? Anyway, the contestant stage is divided into three (duh) parts. Each person has a lift under their feet so everyone can appear the same height on television. They told me it had something to do with the 19th Amendment. That was fine with me. What wasn't fine with me was Pat's use of the lift.
Whenever Pat stood next to me he made use of the lift to appear taller than me! Who is this guy? I wanted to punch him off his high horse, er, pedestal. How dare he make claim to superior height status. I swallowed my pride and continued with the show.
After the show was over (none of the following events actually occurred) Pat met us all back stage to congratulate us. As he approached me to shake my hand I bent his thumb back a la Steven Seagal. "Who's taller now ya little bitch?" I said. As his knees buckled I kicked him in the balls. That sprung his torso and head toward me and I thought he was coming in for a head butt. I poked him in the eyes a la Moe Howard - he's apparently not familiar with Curly's hand to nose defense. Then, his left hand shot up to grab his stinging eyes, but I thought he was going for the Vulcan nerve pinch. I intercepted his hand with my teeth and bit off his thumb, which is the most dangerous of the five fingers. Without his thumb, spraying blood in the air, Pat went into shock. His eyes rolled back in his head and he started seizing and foaming at the mouth. But, I thought he was conjuring up a demon so I grabbed his nostrils with my two fore fingers, lifted him off the ground, and held him there until he stopped twitching. I released him and his limp body fell to the ground. Evidently, he stopped breathing. I called 911 from a nearby phone and then walked toward the exit. After witnessing the entire ordeal, Vanna thanked me on my way out. Not for calling 911, but in her words, "thank you for setting that little shit straight." I said, "No problem, I had a lot of fun. Have you seen that blond bitch?"
Monday, May 5, 2008
Today in History
Congratulations, Columbus you just discovered Jamaica. (1494)
Mary Kies, you are the first woman to receive a patent in the U.S. (1809)
The first continental railroad in Europe connects Brussels and Mechelen. (1835)
Cinco de Mayo is born in Mexico. (1862)
Carnegie Hall opens. (1891)
Cy Young throws the first perfect game. (1904)
The 27th Amendment is ratified. (1992)
Of course, many other events took place on this date in history, but I cannot leave out the fact that on this date in 1818 one of the most influential of all modern philosophers was born. Whether you agree with him or not, Karl Marx has fundamentally shaped the debate about the costs and benefits of capitalism and socialism. Happy Birthday Herr Marx.
Mary Kies, you are the first woman to receive a patent in the U.S. (1809)
The first continental railroad in Europe connects Brussels and Mechelen. (1835)
Cinco de Mayo is born in Mexico. (1862)
Carnegie Hall opens. (1891)
Cy Young throws the first perfect game. (1904)
The 27th Amendment is ratified. (1992)
Of course, many other events took place on this date in history, but I cannot leave out the fact that on this date in 1818 one of the most influential of all modern philosophers was born. Whether you agree with him or not, Karl Marx has fundamentally shaped the debate about the costs and benefits of capitalism and socialism. Happy Birthday Herr Marx.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Thoughts on May Day
Some of you may not be aware of the history of May Day. I won't bore you with it, but you should know that in the U.S. it started on May 1, 1886. On that day, people in the American industrial centers of Chicago and Detroit held a strike in protest of their working conditions. These strikers were met with violence from police forces, but as a result of their actions the United States adopted the eight hour workday and other measures to ensure a safe working environment.
Nowadays, May Day is dominated by immigrants who are fighting for equal rights. Many immigrants may not know that they are entitled to a safe work place because they do not know all the details of U.S. labor laws. (Why did the American Bar Association choose May 1 as Law Day?) Many immigrant laborers endure deplorable conditions because they have no other choice. I applaud the efforts of all who participated in the May Day demonstrations. They have one simple message, we are all human and all humans should be treated equally. Yet, the anti-immigration activists see these demonstrations as anti-American because the people marching wave the flags of their homelands beside that of the United States. These activists have an immutable idea of what an American is, rather they know exactly what an American is not.
Throughout the history of the United States, people have been trying to define the American identity. It is a complicated matter, but it can be broken down into simple terms. The battle for independence sought to draw a line between the British and those living in the American colonies: "we are not British." The wars against the tribes of Native Americans sought to draw a line between the savage and benevolent: "we are not savages." (Read, The Name of War for more on the creation of American identity). We are not fascists nor communists and who we are, as Americans, has always been defined by who we are against. You must remember a prominent public figure saying, "you are either with us, or against us."
A digression: Why does anyone define oneself as an American, Russian, Chinese, Brazilian, Japanese, Mexican, Irish, German, or any other nationality. Can our identities, either collective or individual, be contained by borders? The study of nationalism can be exhausting, especially considering the historical fluctuations of borders, the history of tribal networks, and the recent "nation building" efforts in Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia. Understanding how and with whom we identify ourselves can yield some incredible insights into the human experience. As a result of globalization, nationalism is simultaneously fading and becoming more extreme. Therefore, nations will remain a topic of scholastic inquiry for the foreseeable future and in order to understand their current status we must study their histories.
Nowadays, May Day is dominated by immigrants who are fighting for equal rights. Many immigrants may not know that they are entitled to a safe work place because they do not know all the details of U.S. labor laws. (Why did the American Bar Association choose May 1 as Law Day?) Many immigrant laborers endure deplorable conditions because they have no other choice. I applaud the efforts of all who participated in the May Day demonstrations. They have one simple message, we are all human and all humans should be treated equally. Yet, the anti-immigration activists see these demonstrations as anti-American because the people marching wave the flags of their homelands beside that of the United States. These activists have an immutable idea of what an American is, rather they know exactly what an American is not.
Throughout the history of the United States, people have been trying to define the American identity. It is a complicated matter, but it can be broken down into simple terms. The battle for independence sought to draw a line between the British and those living in the American colonies: "we are not British." The wars against the tribes of Native Americans sought to draw a line between the savage and benevolent: "we are not savages." (Read, The Name of War for more on the creation of American identity). We are not fascists nor communists and who we are, as Americans, has always been defined by who we are against. You must remember a prominent public figure saying, "you are either with us, or against us."
A digression: Why does anyone define oneself as an American, Russian, Chinese, Brazilian, Japanese, Mexican, Irish, German, or any other nationality. Can our identities, either collective or individual, be contained by borders? The study of nationalism can be exhausting, especially considering the historical fluctuations of borders, the history of tribal networks, and the recent "nation building" efforts in Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia. Understanding how and with whom we identify ourselves can yield some incredible insights into the human experience. As a result of globalization, nationalism is simultaneously fading and becoming more extreme. Therefore, nations will remain a topic of scholastic inquiry for the foreseeable future and in order to understand their current status we must study their histories.
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