“Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction for possible improvement; and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”—George Santayana
Recently, I have had numerous conversations with my 14-year-old about “cancel culture”. He brings it up. He is very astute, and he gets it. Unfortunately, much of society does not—or they do, but they are afraid to admit it.
Changing what ails our society requires growth. Growth requires progress. Progress requires leaving the past behind and moving forward.
Some are resistant to change. Heck, there are many who are downright defiant. Such people need a figurative kick in the ass. Most, however, are trying. Many are trying hard but are being stymied by the weight of shame being piled on them by the “woke” cancel culture. Unfortunately, we are so busy punishing people and defending our past selves that we are becoming more divided and united. We are judging and hating when it is love only that can save us.
The above quote is often paraphrased as those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it (or some variant). We must never dwell on our past with regret. Rather, we should be looking back only for the lessons we have learned along the way. It is easy to want to change our past (individually or collectively), however, no matter how painful the past, it is what has brought us to this moment. It is what has prepared us for what is next. I don’t believe we can change anything in the past without dramatically shifting what follows. In fiction, this is often depicted as “rifts in the timeline”. Personally, I am who I am today because of the “stuff” that happened in my past. My responsibility is not to erase my past but to control my present and my future. My responsibility is to grow. Our responsibility is to grow.
In the same work1, Santayana also wrote that “fanaticism consists of redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim.” I think a lot of well-meaning people have forgotten their aim. This, sadly, is causing many to dig in their heels and resist change—rather than promote change. We have forgotten the aim, which is to grow together in unity. Unity has been the purpose of this nation since its foundation. It is in the name of these United States of America. Have we made mistakes along the way? You bet we have—big-time mistakes. So, what do we do with these mistakes? They cannot be erased, ignored, or justified. They cannot be cancelled. Instead, they have to be acknowledged and taught.
Ignorance is, quite simply a lack of information or knowledge. Cancel culture would prefer that “ignorance be bliss”. A responsible response to the pain our neighbors are feeling is to address the source. Rather than erase history, we have to teach it—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Remembering need not be celebrating. Masking pain does not fix the cause. It is easier to do so, but it is not healing. If we want to heal. We have to confront our ignorance.
If I am to be judged by my past, then I must bear every -ism society has to label me. I would hope, however, that I can be judged differently today and will be judged more favorably tomorrow. If not, I have failed.
Let’s remember the aim: to love your neighbor as yourself.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
1George Santayana. The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress (Vol. I, Reason in Common Sense).