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Ken Burns: ‘I’m embarrassed that, as a country, we don’t grasp our history’ speaks volumes about the current state of affairs. It’s a sentiment many of us feel, this frustration at the apparent historical amnesia that seems to grip a significant portion of the population. The fact that he’s embarrassed is understandable, because if we’re not grounded in the past, how can we hope to navigate the present, let alone build a better future?
Grasping our history, it seems, is a significant challenge. The education system, or perhaps the lack thereof, comes under fire. We hear about basic literacy issues, a disconnect from fundamental concepts like pronouns, and a general apathy toward learning. Some suggest that the focus on STEM fields has come at the expense of humanities, leaving a gap in understanding our shared human story. Then there’s the pervasive influence of “Hollywood history,” which distorts facts and presents a sanitized version of the past, often to serve a particular agenda. It’s tough to get an accurate view when so many sources are flawed.
One of the issues is a clear concern about how history is taught and who is shaping the narrative. The fear is that our history is being whitewashed or even actively erased, especially during the Trump era. There’s a pointed criticism of the “Lost Cause” narrative, the romanticized and historically inaccurate view of the Confederacy, suggesting that it continues to influence current events. This version of history, the one that tells us that the US has always been about the rich exploiting the rest of us. It has roots in the present-day political climate, with a particular segment seemingly clinging to outdated ideologies.
The comments bring up the challenges of combating misinformation and the rise of revisionist history. The ability to read, comprehend, and critically evaluate information has been questioned, as have the impacts of the internet and social media. When people can’t discern fact from fiction and readily accept conspiracy theories, it becomes even harder to have a constructive discussion about the past. And it makes it easy for propaganda to take root.
The political climate certainly doesn’t help. The idea that one political party is actively working to destroy education, or to rewrite history to suit its agenda, is a recurring theme. The focus is on a particular base and their disconnect with reality. The idea that many Americans seem to be repeating the mistakes of the past—from civil rights to the rise of fascism—is very unsettling. Phrases like “America First” ring with a disturbing familiarity.
Ken Burns has made a career documenting American history, and his work is often praised. One suggestion is that he should tackle the Trump years, because such a detailed record in a Ken Burns documentary format could be beneficial. There is hope that something like this can counteract the negative trends of historical ignorance.
The core problem, as it is, is that the narrative competes with the one that already exists, that being the idea of who we are. Those who don’t grasp the complexities of history are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. The call to action is clear: education, critical thinking, and an honest reckoning with our history. Only then can we hope to move forward, learn from our mistakes, and build a more just and equitable society.