Author Dr. Robert Saul

Raising Young Citizens in the Age of Columbine

Using History

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“History has its eyes on you” – Hamilton, The Musical

“History will find you” – The Properties of Thirst

History is such an interesting property.   History is considered a “science” in its rigorous use of evidence and methodology yet is best understood as a hybrid discipline that mixes a scientific, analytical approach with the interpretive and narrative qualities of the humanities.

Most scholars would place it in the category of social science and attempt to apply equal rigor to that for applied science – make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis or testable explanation, make a prediction based on the hypothesis with appropriate research, test the prediction, and use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.  While not an applied science, when observed and reported with integrity, history qualifies as a science that we can learn from.

A colleague of mine recently observed that “I think that it is fair to say that ‘History’ is probably the only ‘Science’ from which Mankind has learned nothing or almost nothing. History keeps repeating itself. Similar situations to our present history/political status have always existed and are even recorded.”  His lament was a result of recent events and the erosion of social structures that have served us well in the past.  But he also knows the hazards of ignoring history.  His family escaped the ravages of Nazi Germany so he knows all too well what history can tell us and provide lessons going forward.

Another colleague of mine was attending a meeting back in 1989 when I ran into her just before a scientific session.  She was in tears.  Seeing the news of the fall of the Berlin Wall (the artificial separation between West and East Germany) that morning on TV brought tears to her eyes.  So many in her family had suffered from the repression of the communist regime and now that barrier was gone.  Her sense of exhilaration about the future was certainly tempered by the past (her history) and the many lives lost or harmed.

In a past blog, I discussed multiple lessons from history that are going unheeded presently.1  Lies, disregard for the rule of law, disregard for precedent, disregard for change, and book banning then and now are clear examples of history that occurred and is being ignored in present time.

I have noticed that all too often it can be easy to see into the past yet not recognize the parallel issues in present day.  Or the converse.  We look into the past and refuse to accept it for what it was.  We therefore cannot use that information to make a positive difference going forward.

I want to explore two examples in modern literature.

  • The Broadway musical sensation, HAMILTON, chronicles in drama and song the life of Alexander Hamilton from the early days of the American Revolution until his premature death in a duel with Aaron Burr.2 The musical exposes some tragic flaws in Hamilton but does celebrate his dedication to the concept of a new country with the founding principles of democracy.  His energy and accomplishments are acknowledged today as so critical to our founding in the late 1700s – early 1800s.
    • I am particularly intrigued with the song History has its eyes on you. It starts with George Washington recalling his early errors leading to tragic deaths and recounts that “history has its eyes on me.”  He was able to accept his lived history and accept the introspection necessary to do better in the future.  History had its eyes on him, and he was humble enough to grow and learn.  He recognized the potential greatness in Alexander Hamilton but, nonetheless, entreated him to be careful, to be cautious, and to be humble.  Why did he ask those things of Hamilton?  Because history had its eyes on him.
    • The take-home message for me with this song is that history as its eyes on us, each and every one of us. We should be thinking through our actions, recognizing that they will be consequential.  We need to recognize that joy of history, even painful history, is that we can continue to improve, seeking forgiveness when needed.
  • The book PROPERTIES OF THIRST by Marianne Wiggins is chocked full of pearls of wisdom.3 I have previously reviewed two quotes that stand out to me – “you can’t save what you don’t love” and “gardening is being human in the face of despair.” 4 Let me add one more that strikes a chord – “history will find you.”
    • On the last pages of this epic tale, the protagonist is contemplating his life’s journey. He is reviewing certain things with pride and others with some regret.  “On your wedding day or when your kid is born, when your boat sails or when your loved one disappears: history will find you.” He further notes that “your own history will come for you when you are sleeping in your bed or starting breakfast, staring out a window. What we do with these unbidden moments may define how we choose—or do not choose—to live…History finds us where we live.”
    • The message here for me is that consciously and equally often unconsciously, we are always living our history. What we do matters.  Sure, we will have regrets over mistakes and transgressions.  And history will find us.  But we can change things going forward to improve our lives, the lives of others and the life of our communities.

One important point.  The eternal pessimist will possible see the above discussion as confirmation that children exposed to multiple adverse experiences or even manifesting disrupting behavior are creating their own fixed history.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  A dedicated approach of love and understanding intertwined with positive experiences can make all the difference going forward, building resilience and promoting flourishing.5,6  Their early history can enable us to identify factors for intervention and fill gaps in the future.  The past does not define the future for children, with proper intervention.

In the spirit of HAMILTON and PROPERTIES OF THIRST, history has its eyes on us, and history will find us.  Our job is to recognize and analyze the past (our history) and to learn how to correct or change our current situation based on our history.  I see these two exhortations – “history has its eyes on you” and “history will find you” – as positive instructions for our roles as citizens.  People that care for others and care about others should always be reviewing what has happened.  The future is ours to make only when we have exercised proper reflection.

 

  1. https://mychildrenschildren.com/learning-from-history/
  2. Miranda L-M, McCarter J. Hamilton: The Revolution. Grand Central Publishing; 2016. 288 pp.
  3. Wiggins M. Properties of Thirst. Simon and Schuster, New York; 2022. 528 pp.
  4. https://mychildrenschildren.com/love-and-gardening/
  5. https://mychildrenschildren.com/positive-childhood-experiences/
  6. https://mychildrenschildren.com/relate-rupture-repair-repeat/