Well said, Doug
 
Warren
 
 
 
In a message dated 5/16/2008 9:12:03 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

This  discussion has demonstrated, among other things, the confusion we 
produce when  we  fail to differentiate between history and what might be called  
heritage.  The problem  is not that we lack conclusive evidence on  which to 
base our answer to the main question: Did Jefferson father any  of  Hemings' 
children? It is, rather, that all or most parties to the  discussion appear to 
have a personal stake in the answer. Not having such a  stake is one of the 
prerequisites (but not the only one!) for writing  objective history. Having a 
stake, in contrast, takes us--almost by  definition--off the track of historical 
inquiry and onto the parallel track of  heritage fabrication. We fashion a 
heritage--usually as part of some group  (nation, region, ethnic group)--in order 
to forge an identity out of bits and  pieces of history, myths, legends, 
values. Heritage thrives on error; it  cannot serve its purpose--to make the 
members of a group happy with (even  inspired by!) its so-called past--without 
getting the real history wrong. The  attempt to get the history right, let the 
chips fall where they may, is always  a disappointment to heritage-seekers. 

Why can't we be content with  real history and somehow move beyond the need 
for the distortions produced by  heritage? We don't really know, but quite 
possibly it (heritage) is what our  brains are programmed by human evolution to 
produce and favor. In comparison,  the history in which we have no personal 
stake is rather colorless and  bland... or just complicated, offering no clear 
lessons. Objectivity exacts a  high price in detachment.

On heritage and history, see David  Lowenthal's Possessed by the Past; on the 
brain, Cordelia Fine's A Mind of Its  Own.

Doug Deal
History/SUNY  Oswego


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