David Allison

David Allison

I visited Horizon High School in Thornton a few months ago to speak to a group of 40 or so students about why we study history and describe some of the ways that the teaching of history is changing in the United States. The panel of us—including three people from History Colorado and a staffer from the State Archaeological office—spoke to how history is actually something that is created, rather than presented as a set of immutable facts, and how traditionally history has been more tied to civics (how “we” function as citizens in a democracy) than it has been about understanding the ways that history influences current situations. History is a lens through which we can seek a more just future.

Of course, there is danger in seeing history as only applicable to the present. When we do this, we neglect the unique stories and voices of the people of the past speaking on their own terms. We can lapse into an empty “presentism” that degrades our empathy and causes us to either villainize or valorize past historical actors. 

Ultimately, history is wrapped up in layers of complexity. We are indebted to past interpretations of the past, yet we must also forge new interpretations based on new information and understandings of our world. We need to look to the past to inform our present and our future, whilst also acknowledging that our current biases and lenses (as well as the strangeness of the past) prevent us from drawing 1 to 1 comparisons; therefore, we should infuse our interpretations with humility and grace. 

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Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

David Allison

I’ve been reading a book called Unruly Places by Alastair Bonnett (2014). In one chapter, the author highlights quilombos—places in Brazil settled during the 1700s-1800s by individuals who had formerly been enslaved. These primarily Black Brazilian communities have experienced a resurgence in interest and scholarship in recent years. One statement from Bonnett was noteworthy to me.

“Quilombos are not remnants of something gone but places that look to the past to define their present. It’s something that all living places do. It can sometimes mean that they appear to be more interested in preserving tradition than inventing new ones. But that is a risk worth taking—indeed it is a risk that has to be taken if places are to be communities, something more than just spaces of temporary individual habitation. Without the binding presence of the past, places are emptied of a meaningful future.” (p. 162)

I liked much of the sentiment built into this statement, especially the contrast between communities and spaces of temporary individual habitation. I think the American peripatetic tendency combined with the transitory nature of suburbs and jobs in the 21st century conspire to degrade community. Moreover, we tend not to quickly trust or even spend much time with our neighbors. However, I feel that the work of FoBH and the Looking Back for a Vision Forward series can help to reforge any weakened and broken community identity for Broomfield. Thank you for your efforts toward this noble goal!

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