It feels like it's been a while since I've made a post like this. But it's time for another historian dilemma post! Today's focus is on the comment, “History isn’t important.”
I've heard this phrase a lot, especially when I tell people that I'm a history major. And, as with many of these Historian Dilemma posts, I want to make some sarcastic, witty response. However, I have to remind myself to take a breath and come up with a response that's polite but gets the point across.
So how does one respond to the comment of “History isn’t important”?
The first thing I suggest is to understand where that person may be coming from with that statement. Not all reasoning behind this statement is rational, but some of it is. So, if possible, try to understand where they're coming from - privileges in any form, bad history teachers, etc. Almost anything can be a factor in thinking that history "isn't important."
The second thing I suggest is to list off a couple of important historical points, whether it's a person, place, or event. (You can also name off obvious things if that's how you want to do it.) If they know the historical points you list, then you can reply with something along the lines of "If these weren't important, you wouldn't know about them, even if it's just by name.
The third thing I suggest is to acknowledge bias and privilege. Bias and privilege can be seen anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes, these are the only factors into the thought that "history isn't important," no matter how rational or irrational it sounds.
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