El peso de la Historia | Alejandro Rosas | TEDxCalzadaDeLosHéroes

Summary

Alejandro Rosas, a Mexican history divulgator, discusses his unique approach to history, viewing it not just as facts, but as a series of personal stories shared by historical figures. He critiques the official history taught in Mexico, which he believes distorts events into a black-and-white narrative of heroes and villains. He argues that this has led to a polarized society burdened by prejudices and victimization. Rosas suggests that Mexico must let go of its historical weight to build a brighter future, focusing on historical figures in their true context rather than as mythical icons. His message encourages a more dynamic, open-minded understanding of history to foster progress.

Takeaways

• 😀 Alejandro Rosas identifies himself as a historian and a medium who communicates with historical figures, bringing their stories into the present.
• 😀 He contrasts the role of a historian with that of a history communicator, aiming to make history accessible to the public by presenting humanized accounts of historical figures.
• 😀 Rosas discusses the four main challenges Mexico faces today, which he refers to as the 'Four Horsemen of the Mexican Apocalypse': authoritarianism, simulation, corruption, and impunity.
• 😀 Mexico has faced numerous historical struggles, including invasions and conflicts with foreign powers such as the U.S. and France, yet the country continues to evolve despite these challenges.
• 😀 He argues that Mexico's constant state of 'construction' reflects the weight of its history, which has been an obstacle to progress.
• 😀 Rosas critiques the traditional narrative of history that has been taught in Mexico, which he believes distorts the reality of historical figures and events.
• 😀 He highlights the negative impact of the 'official history' narrative, which polarized society by portraying figures as either heroes or villains, and preventing nuanced understanding of historical events.
• 😀 According to Rosas, the official history of Mexico, taught through textbooks and national ceremonies, led to a society that saw history as a catechism rather than something to question and reflect on.
• 😀 He criticizes the victimization narrative that has prevailed in Mexican history, which teaches citizens to view themselves as perpetual victims of foreign powers or their own government.
• 😀 Rosas emphasizes that the current generation should move beyond the burdens of the past, letting go of old prejudices, and use history as a reference rather than a tool for political division.

Q & A

What is Alejandro Rosas' primary mission as a historian?

Alejandro Rosas views his mission as a 'medium' who connects with the past. His goal is to listen to the stories, romances, and experiences of historical figures to bring them into the present and use those lessons to help build the future.

How does Rosas differentiate between history divulgation and academic history?

Rosas explains that history divulgation is about making history accessible to the wider public. It focuses on telling the stories of historical figures as human beings, with emotions and personal experiences, rather than emphasizing complex theories or academic essays.

What are the four 'horsemen' of the Mexican apocalypse that Rosas mentions?

The four 'horsemen' of the Mexican apocalypse, according to Rosas, are authoritarianism, simulation, corruption, and impunity. These are key societal issues that have been consistently present throughout Mexico's history.

How does Rosas describe Mexico's historical challenges?

Rosas highlights that Mexico has faced many challenges, including foreign invasions by the United States and France. Despite these challenges, Mexico is still 'under construction,' and Rosas believes that the country needs to let go of its historical burdens to move forward.

What does Rosas believe is one of the main obstacles preventing Mexico from moving forward?

Rosas identifies the weight of history as one of Mexico's main obstacles. He suggests that the way history has been taught and understood in the past has created a distorted narrative that prevents the country from making progress.

What does Rosas think about the 'official history' of Mexico?

Rosas criticizes the 'official history' of Mexico, which he believes was a distorted narrative used for political control. This version of history presented figures like Benito Juárez and Francisco Villa as almost mythical, leading to a polarized society that focused on dogma and heroes versus villains.

How did the 'official history' affect the perception of historical figures?

Rosas argues that the official history created a binary view of history, where figures were either elevated to legendary status as heroes or demonized as villains. This oversimplification prevented people from understanding these figures as complex individuals and distorted their true contributions.

What is Rosas' opinion on the teaching of history in Mexican schools?

Rosas criticizes the way history was taught in Mexican schools, claiming it was more about memorizing dates and events rather than fostering critical thinking. The official history taught students to accept a simplistic, almost religious view of historical figures and events.

What does Rosas say about the impact of the Spanish conquest on Mexico's present?

Rosas believes that continuing to blame Mexico's modern problems on the Spanish conquest is harmful. While acknowledging the conquest's impact, he argues that Mexico must stop living in the past and blaming its issues on historical events that occurred centuries ago.

What is Rosas' vision for Mexico's future?

Rosas is optimistic about Mexico's future, believing that the country has the potential to overcome its challenges. He stresses the need to let go of historical burdens and biases, abandon victimization, and focus on building a better society with an active and engaged citizenry.