Recently, I listened to an episode of the Trevor Noah podcast featuring Tressie McMillan Cottom, and he said something that I have been marinating on for weeks.
I appreciate this sentiment, Rabbi. I used get annoyed growing up, “why do we have to tell this story again and again? Why do we have to remember all of our persecution again? Let’s not be victims.” But it needs to be shared, now more than ever. Humans have terrible amnesia. I am glad to agree with just this one thing with Trevor Noah.
Remembering where we came from and how we are existing in the world is such a potent message. In my family, we honor our ancestors who escaped government ordained death and destruction every day. Sometimes in conversations, I ask if a person knows why we are able to share the moment. After a glazed look, I ask do they remember how they got here. Who were the ancestors and why did they leave their country of origin? Some know, some don’t. My hope is that question might resonate and cause some reflection.
I am grateful I found your teaching. Like you said in this post, don’t sugarcoat the truth.
We forget because those in power want us to forget. So we don't teach history: we teach fan fiction. I went to high school in the 80s; I took American history and, while we covered the Civil War, little if anything, was said about slavery in the antebellum South. We never heard anything other than moderate praise for people like Columbus. We never learned about the Trail of Tears
I appreciate this sentiment, Rabbi. I used get annoyed growing up, “why do we have to tell this story again and again? Why do we have to remember all of our persecution again? Let’s not be victims.” But it needs to be shared, now more than ever. Humans have terrible amnesia. I am glad to agree with just this one thing with Trevor Noah.
Remembering where we came from and how we are existing in the world is such a potent message. In my family, we honor our ancestors who escaped government ordained death and destruction every day. Sometimes in conversations, I ask if a person knows why we are able to share the moment. After a glazed look, I ask do they remember how they got here. Who were the ancestors and why did they leave their country of origin? Some know, some don’t. My hope is that question might resonate and cause some reflection.
I am grateful I found your teaching. Like you said in this post, don’t sugarcoat the truth.
Beautiful. Thanks.
Thank you for this reflection on Ki Tavo, Rabbi!
We forget because those in power want us to forget. So we don't teach history: we teach fan fiction. I went to high school in the 80s; I took American history and, while we covered the Civil War, little if anything, was said about slavery in the antebellum South. We never heard anything other than moderate praise for people like Columbus. We never learned about the Trail of Tears