Marice Diokno Speak and Inspire: Re-writing the future by looking at the past

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of historical context in understanding events and the challenges of learning history due to its 'unnatural' nature for the modern mind. They reflect on the common perception of history as a boring subject, often due to poor teaching methods and textbooks. The talk delves into the role of history as a learning tool, emphasizing the need to transcend the present perspective and appreciate the past's context to truly grasp its significance.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker discusses the importance of understanding historical context and narratives from different countries, such as Chile, Peru, and Argentina, emphasizing the role of truth commissions and the preservation of memory.
• 📚 The speaker is a history teacher who acknowledges the common perception of history as a subject that is often disliked due to its teaching methods and the dry nature of textbooks.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the idea that history should be about memorizing facts, arguing that a human's role is to understand and interpret, not just to regurgitate information.
• 📈 The speaker suggests that history is not just about dates and events, but about understanding the context and reasons behind actions, which is a fundamental aspect of the discipline.
• 🧐 The speaker mentions that thinking historically is considered unnatural by some because it requires looking at events from the perspective of the time they occurred, rather than from a modern viewpoint.
• 🏛 The importance of context in historical understanding is highlighted, with the speaker using an example of how a joke said in a certain context can be misunderstood when taken out of it.
• 🌐 The speaker reflects on the difficulty of relating to the past, comparing it to trying to understand a foreign country, and the challenges historians face in making the past relatable.
• 🛠️ The speaker talks about the need for historians to develop conceptual and methodological tools to help understand and interpret historical contexts.
• 📖 The speaker criticizes the way history is often taught, suggesting that it is boring and poorly taught, which contributes to students' lack of interest in the subject.
• 💡 The speaker believes in the importance of history as a learning tool, despite admitting personal bias due to a love for the subject, and attempts to provide a more objective perspective.
• 🔄 The speaker emphasizes that advancements in science and technology are built upon discoveries and achievements from the past, illustrating the interconnectedness of history with present-day progress.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the script?

The main topic discussed in the script is the importance and challenges of learning and teaching history, particularly in the context of truth commissions and the role of memory and context in historical understanding.

What are the two stories mentioned at the beginning of the script?

The two stories mentioned are related to the experiences of truth commissions in Chile, Peru, and Argentina, which dealt with severe oppression, and the concept of memory and how it is passed down through generations.

What is the National Historical Commission Ed?

The script does not provide a clear definition of 'National Historical Commission Ed', but it seems to refer to a discussion or event related to historical commissions and education.

Why are truth commissions and their testimonies important?

Truth commissions and their testimonies are important because they provide a record of past events, often involving human rights abuses or oppression, and help societies understand and come to terms with their history.

What is the role of memory in the context of history?

Memory plays a crucial role in history as it allows individuals and societies to recall and interpret past events, even if they did not directly experience them. It helps in preserving the narrative and lessons of the past.

Why do students often find history boring according to the script?

Students often find history boring because it is frequently taught in a way that is not engaging, with textbooks that are difficult to read and do not spark interest. The script suggests that the way history is taught can be improved.

What is the speaker's profession and how does it relate to the script's topic?

The speaker is a history teacher, and their profession directly relates to the script's topic as they discuss the teaching of history, the importance of context in historical understanding, and the challenges faced in making history an engaging subject for students.

What does the script suggest about the natural tendency when thinking about history?

The script suggests that the natural tendency when thinking about history is to view it from the lens of the present, which can be limiting and may not fully capture the context and reasons behind historical events.

Why is thinking historically considered unnatural according to the script?

Thinking historically is considered unnatural because it requires us to look at events from a different context and time period, which goes against our instinct to view things from our own present perspective.

What is the importance of context in understanding history?

Context is crucial in understanding history because it provides the background, environment, and reasons that influenced the actions and decisions of people in the past, helping us to gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of historical events.

How does the script relate the study of history to the development of technology?

The script relates the study of history to the development of technology by pointing out that advancements in science and technology are built upon discoveries and achievements from the past, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical context for current progress.