In a thoughtful essay on the film The Odyssey, Georgia Coley, a documentary film maker, draws a parallel between Nolan’s ending with its quote someday, “a new dawn will break over the darkened world, when our mistakes will once again be forgotten” and our situation in today’s America as we have forgotten the importance of our national promise.
However, I would argue that it is in remembering our past actions that the new dawn will break. The current attempts of the administration, for instance, in trying to sweep our checkered past under the rug simply perpetuates the evil done in the past. The very point of historical memory is to confront the past so we can move into the future. History is like confession. Unless we acknowledge our sins, we cannot ask for forgiveness – or reconciliation.
As a Nation we’ve never undergone the kinds of events such as the truth and reconciliation commission in South Africa or a national examination of historical memory as in Guatemala. Our historical memory has been spotty, brought to the surface from time to time, but not in any comprehensive way. Perhaps that’s not really possible in America today, but still in order for the new dawn to break, we must try to acknowledge who we have been and are now.
Prayer for the Day
Called to remember our past by your prophets, O God,
We have often refused to acknowledge what we have done;
But you, O Lord, tell us we must confess before we can change,
Even as we bristle at the thought of admitting our sins.
Transform us, O Holy One, into a people fearful of our past,
So we can move into creating your realm of justice and peace.
In the name of the One who transforms us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
History is a vast early warning system.
Norman Cousins, journalist, historian (1915-1990)
History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul,
Lord Acton, British historian, politician (1834-1902)
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark says from of old,
Things we have hard and known, that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children, we will tell to the coming generation
The glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders God has done.
Psalm 78: 2-4