Remember the Titans

Anonymous Remember... memory is a powerful thing, but also a dangerous one. Memory can be deceptive, memory can fail, and memory can be used to oppress. But memory is an important part of identity construction. Who we are is in part locked in the stories of our past. We use these stories to communicate to others and ourselves about who we are and why we are the way that we are. Memory is a tricky thing, because the line between myth and "fact" is often blurred. The story of the Exodus is a fundamental part of Israelite identity; it forms a part of their story; their memory. But to what degree the story and its details are based on "actual" events can be debated. It's importance to Israelite and Jewish identity, however, cannot.  In our readings we have seen another way to "blur" the lines of memory by combining memory and prophesy. The authors of historical apocalypses recount the past as the future, in order to seamlessly blend that past with the actual future they envision. In the Sibylline oracles, the sibyl recounts the past as a blend of legends and actual kingdoms. In class we have discussed how the Israelites are not really interested in "history," as we understand it. They are interested in law and story. Memory is not history, it is story. Memory is a construction, and can be used for many purposes. The way in which we construct our memory goes hand in hand with the way we construct our identity. You cannot change what has happened in the past, maybe not even what is happening now. But you can change the story. I am not suggesting the telling of untruths, though I know that I am walking a delicate line. What I am suggesting is that for every event there are a thousand possible ways to tell the story. The way we choose to tell it reflects and forms our concept of who we are. Because of this, it is important to reflect on our stories; what they say about us and what we want them to say. Sometimes people hold on to poisonous stories; and while what happened cannot change, the way it is interpreted can. Memory is crucial to identity, so let's choose to remember in a way that empowers. In the story of the Exodus, the Israelites do not remember themselves as slaves. They remember themselves as chosen people; people who were once enslaved, but who were/are special enough to be rescued.