Let's Talk: History is not a Linear Progression

 

          Let’s talk about an example of historical fiction. Well, a misconception would be more accurate. Society tends to see history as a linear progression. That is to say, people commonly think about history as something along the lines of: once in ancient times we were uncivilized but look at how far we’ve come. Problem solved. When, in reality, the problem is very much not solved. This is due in part, to how history is taught. It is convenient and digestible to talk about calamities and their subsequent resolutions. For example, consider the narrative of black people in America.Up until very recently, it was surprising to many that racism is still prevalent in many areas of the U.S, not only the South.

       Let's start at the beginning. The slave trade began in the 17^th century and involved all the major Western powers including the U.S. Gradually, most of the West abolish slavery with the U.S being the last. So, for over 2 centuries, race became synonymous with servitude. In this time, racism became deeply entrenched in American society. So entrenched, that disagreement over the ethics of owning people ignited a civil war.

       We all know the outcome of the Civil War; the North won, and Lincoln freed the slaves in 1865. It’s a very neat and convenient package to digest. Here, you see the linear progress narrative at work. It’s often framed that once we were uncivilized and held slaves, but we fought a just war and won; the end. Except this excludes a key part of U.S history during the reconstruction era where Jim Crow laws were enforced, and blacks and whites were heavily segregated.

       Fast forward another hundred years, and we get to the Civil Rights movement which is really the crowning jewel to this story. This is often framed as a victory, despite the hundred years in between where black Americans were lynched, denied the right to vote and experienced persecution for the colour of their skin. Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely a victory, we just can’t ignore the space in between or after. Especially following the Movement, its often taught that’s the end. Racism has been solved. We all know this is not the case given some 60 years later, as evident by the recent protests and calls to action for the same issues believed to be solved with the Civil Rights Movement.

     We’re often taught history in way that acknowledges hardship, but that there is usually a resolution and we’re better for it. What I’ve laid out here is a very broad understanding of the history of black Americans. I’m being facetious to a make a point, that in broader terms, this is often how history is conceptualized because it is convenient to frame history as a linear progression. It’s hard to think about history not as linear but quite the opposite. Progress is not always a steady march forward but often, as is so evident in today’s climate, we take two steps forward only to take one or a couple steps backward. My point is that it’s okay to think like that. It is okay to understand that as a society, we are not where we think we are. Engaging with our world in this way actually provokes deeper thought about how to improve our society as a whole.