perseverance of bitterness about the past

[Gospel]

We are a social animal and our connection to the group is critical to survival. In the technological age, where a person can live a solitary life because they do not have to actually talk to the person who made their shirt, or the person who uses whatever they produce, it's easy to forget how pathetically vulnerable human is in the wild. There is great danger from animals and other humans.

Our group insures our safety and security from threats. When the threat is from another human group, this will become part of the cultural memory and identity. As time passes, groups shift and merge, but the cultural memory has a very long half life.

It is not human nature to get over it, especially for no better reason than to help a member of a formerly adversarial group feel a little more comfortable.

That reminds me of a short story I’m writing about a world where social media and rapid communication mysteriously vanish without explanation. Society is forced to adapt, leading to a return to genuine conversations, more time spent playing outside, and a revival of brick-and-mortar stores. Basically the 80's with today's companies.

 

[Toni]

Why not consider perspectives from African nations as well? Many played complex roles in the Atlantic slave trade, both as participants and as forces of resistance. Given this dual experience, these nations might offer unique insights into navigating past grievances. Exploring how they have handled the legacy of such a profound historical tragedy—their roles in both supporting and resisting the transatlantic slave trade—could provide a nuanced understanding and perhaps even valuable lessons in reconciliation.

Yet by only asking the opinions of those that look like you—and overlooking the perspectives of those in the urban areas you and your well-kept lawn seem to take issue with—it seems you're not genuinely seeking answers, are you?

For Example Ghana. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Ghana's coastline was central to the transatlantic slave trade. European powers built forts and castles—such as Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle—that served as points where millions of Africans were forcibly sent to the Americas. These historical sites have been preserved and are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, serving as powerful reminders of the past.

In Ghana efforts have been made to encourage a sense of national unity that transcends ethnic and historical divisions. There isn't widespread resentment toward specific groups or nations today in Ghana. The emphasis is on learning from the past. They might call you 'Obroni,' which translates to 'white person' or 'foreigner,' but it is generally not used in a derogatory manner. Generally you'll get more love from Black people in Ghana than African Americans and that's for a reason.

In my opinion, America's prolonged struggle to overcome its ailments stems from its continual refusal to seek and accept treatment. Eventually, the nation takes its medicine—kicking and screaming—so we'll get there at some point.

I think it goes a step or more before the treatment stage: Most of America has not yet accepted nor processed their shared past. This is deliberate, if sometimes quite unconscious for the masses. Many white Americans will say: "that's all in the past, I wasn't born, my dad wasn't born, my grandparents weren't born. I share no guilt over this. Why don't (insert group) just get over it?"

I think we need to look it square in the face, albeit in multiple doses as the past continues to reveal itself and because the human psyche can only absorb so much horror and much less blame. That said, I think we need to look it square in the eye, recognize who gained and who lost and why and how that played/plays out in succeeding generations. And I think we MUST also recognize that we will not know the whole story, not fully, not a complete telling but we must accept and process new information and new understanding as it emerges.

And deal with it in stages, although that is not completely just and although I very much recognize that it is very easy for me to type that out on a keyboard, me who does not live the bulk of the negative consequences, at least not day to day the same way as if I were not white.

And we have to keep searching out and revealing who currently benefits and who pays under our current understanding/system. And see what that tells us. And listen. And try to do justice.

 

[bilby]

But isn’t the UK largely made up of people who lost power elsewhere and migrated there as a result? In fact, the entirety of the EU consists of nations formed by people scattered from empires like the Roman and Carolingian Empires, as well as groups like the Celtic tribes, Anglo-Saxons, and others. Basically an international cling to lost power.

Indeed. And made worse by crazy beliefs in the persistence of cultural origins.

I saw a TV show last night about the Roman invasion of Britain, and Boudica's revolt.

The presenter repeatedly referred to the 'Roman invaders' (fair enough), in juxtaposition against 'Our ancestors, the Celts'. Wait, what?

Clearly the conflict in question was between our ancestors the Celts, and our ancestors the Roman invaders.

I guess "us against them" is a more compelling narrative than the factual "us against us".

 

[Toni]

But isn’t the UK largely made up of people who lost power elsewhere and migrated there as a result? In fact, the entirety of the EU consists of nations formed by people scattered from empires like the Roman and Carolingian Empires, as well as groups like the Celtic tribes, Anglo-Saxons, and others. Basically an international cling to lost power.

Indeed. And made worse by crazy beliefs in the persistence of cultural origins.

I saw a TV show last night about the Roman invasion of Britain, and Boudica's revolt.

The presenter repeatedly referred to the 'Roman invaders' (fair enough), in juxtaposition against 'Our ancestors, the Celts'. Wait, what?

Clearly the conflict in question was between our ancestors the Celts, and our ancestors the Roman invaders.

I guess "us against them" is a more compelling narrative than the factual "us against us".

Don’t we all have a tendency to embrace what was noble about certain forebears and downplay or ignore contributions by other ancestors?

 

[BH]

My ancestors owned slaves. It was a shit system slavery, and from what i understand my ancestors where not the cruelest owners but they were not the kindest either. My ancestors were shit people for doung what did. They were rich but no doubt could have lived happy and productive lives without the slave ownership.

I've always called things as i see it. The country has been whack from the beginning.