Revisionist history: the feel good fallacy

[Mojo]

I try to be a positive person, but one thing that really gets my goat is revisionist history, i.e. the act of erasing the parts of history that make us feel uncomfortable, and then rewriting a version that leaves out the bad stuff so that we can feel better about ourselves. To an extent, most countries do it, though some do it far more than others. My point is not to point out which countries are the worst perpetrators. Just to denounce the concept.

We recently had a day off in honor of that rapist, thief, slave trader, and all around (_._) known around these parts as Christopher Columbus. That's enough to make you puke.

So I wrote this song to set the record straight

mojotwanger.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/mojotwanger-chris-original-song/

Lyrics:

That Columbus fella Well he got good and lost
On his way to India He got his wires crossed

He found Hispaniola Raped, pillaged and killed
In the name of Isabella Innocent blood was spilled


His math was all wrong The Indies far more distant
The voyage, too long But he got damn persistent

He tried to sell his dream To half of the kings & queens
But they thought it too extreme & Wouldn’t give him the means


Don’t ever underestimate The power of greed
For it will negate The warnings you should heed

So Chris got his boats And he headed out West
Feeling his oats, Thinking "I’m the best"


He wanted to be named Admiral of the Seas
Well he should be ashamed & Stricken from history

You know they named a GPS After Magellan
Not after Columbus Well, he was no Magellan.


The natives weren’t humans Just a way to more gold
He didn’t make ‘em Christians Just slaves to be sold

Finally in chains As he rightfully belonged
He was sent back to Spain But was freed before long


Chris’ legacy is easily told
It’s all about slaves and gold

[pwfirst]

Times and actions from long ago can't be compaired to present times. The norm of those times was to go and take. It has been that way since the beginning of time. Name any civilization from that past that didn't have , slaves or surfs , that killed and plundered and did anything the victors wanted. I always thought that the sins of the past helped humanity grow. Now our monsters of pillage just wear a different suit of clothes.
Don't get me started on the fabrication of the education systems and the adjusting of facts to fit an agenda. Oh well such is the World, ain't it grand. Looking back I contiue to hope we don't repeat the mistakes of our fore fathers from times past. Our growth does need to be delibrant and not rushed because our generation only thinks they have all of the answers, but they probably really don't.

[gasman]

Nov 11, 2010 19:25:30 GMT -5 pwfirst said:

Times and actions from long ago can't be compaired to present times. The norm of those times was to go and take. It has been that way since the beginning of time. Name any civilization from that past that didn't have , slaves or surfs , that killed and plundered and did anything the victors wanted. I always thought that the sins of the past helped humanity grow. Now our monsters of pillage just wear a different suit of clothes.
Don't get me started on the fabrication of the education systems and the adjusting of facts to fit an agenda. Oh well such is the World, ain't it grand. Looking back I contiue to hope we don't repeat the mistakes of our fore fathers from times past. Our growth does need to be delibrant and not rushed because our generation only thinks they have all of the answers, but they probably really don't.

Very well said Phil!

[Mojo]

You're bound to repeat the mistakes of times past if you don't actively acknowledge them as being mistakes in the first place