HISTORY AND CIVIC BEHAVIOR
Jose S. Azcona Bocock
“Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.” –George Orwell, 1984
Mos maiorum. The customs of our ancestors. The legal, political, and social system of ancient Rome was based on this principle. It was based on identification with what had happened in this community before. Although this resulted in marked conservatism, being able to identify with a proud past gave this community its own security that allowed it to build a great civilization.
We do not aspire to build an empire, but Hondurans have very little recollection of what has happened in the past. The general ignorance of world history is evident, although not as important as the lack of knowledge and recording of national historical sources. It is difficult to understand and prepare to compete and negotiate internationally without knowing something about the cultures or societies that we encounter. It is not possible to build our own identity without being able to do even a general analysis of what has happened on this earth before.
The absence of this historical consciousness makes its place be taken by ideas and values imposed from abroad, or by a fatalism derived from the misunderstanding of forces greater than ours. Although we Hondurans are of different racial, geographical, and ethnic origins, this society does have continuity over time and with which we must all identify.
Knowledge of history has two components: the first is the community’s interest in teaching and learning. It is necessary that our study programs at all levels require the teaching of Honduran and world history. In addition to this, it is necessary for companies to dedicate themselves to promoting historical dissemination through literary editions, etc. This is an attractive field for all institutions wishing to make an important social contribution.
A second component is national historical research. We include in this both written and physical history (archeology). It is necessary to have a national historical policy, not as an exclusive state responsibility but as a participatory effort of all. Older people should not only tell their stories but record or write them; each one must take care of, and in some cases, exhibit their artifacts that could have a special historical value.
The physical past is lost a little every day as documents deteriorate, buildings are demolished, and living sources of information die. It is impossible to avoid the effects of chemistry, urban progress, or the death of our elders. Therefore, it is important that we record, transcribe, photograph, and write down as much of this information as possible.
Knowing our past, and that of others, will not properly solve our great social and economic problems. However, it will give us greater confidence and security in who we are and where we can go. By taking ownership of our past, we can have a stronger foundation to build a better future.
(2004)
