Imagine that you had access to a Time Machine (unlikely I know but bear with me) and you could go back and correct past mistakes, would you do it? You’d be aware that changing the past could also change your future but you’d be able to undo hurts, say things you never said, in short, come back to the present with no regrets; would you take the risk?
I think I can say that I categorically wouldn’t, for the simple reason that what we learn most from is our past. Yes we make mistakes but, as long as we only make them once, isn’t that what allows us to grow as human beings? Bearing this in mind, I wonder why there are so many calls to rewrite history these days because things that we said, done or written in the past are now considered racist?
We all know that demonising someone for their race or colour is unacceptable, for that matter, demonising anyone because they are different to us is wrong but is it right to try and erase the past to better fit our vision of the future?
- The name of the Laura Ingalls Wilder literary award has been changed as the Little House on The Prairie books are now considered to contain racist commentary
- There are calls for the film Zulu to be banned for being racist
- The Oompa Loompa’s in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been compared to ‘happy slaves’ which is a racist concept
- Philip Nel, an expert in children’s literature says ““Seuss’ ‘Cat’ serves as one example of how racism hides openly — indeed, thrives — in popular culture for young people,”
- We’ve had ‘sensitive revisions’ to Enid Blyton books as they are now considered racist
- The novel Little Women is being rewritten to ‘celebrate’ it’s 150th anniversary to include LGBTQ and multi-racial characters
These are just a few examples that I found after 10 minutes whizzing around on Google, I am sure that there are many, many more.
I can only imagine how awful it must be to be a victim of racism or gender discrimination (sexism I do have experience of but that’s for another time) but the only reason I know anything about it is because I read about other people’s experiences. Isn’t that what reading is all about??
Seeing calls to ‘ban’ books or ‘rewrite’ them is quite shocking to me for one simple reason:
What do you think? I’d love to hear from you if you’ve got a minute.
Have a great day
Lisa x
well I am surprised to read they are rewriting the stories – that seems horrid to me –
and I am with you on leaving them alone.
side note – I was just watching a movie about a fictional version of how charles dickens might have come about writing A Christmas Carol – I thought the screen writer did a bad job but then it was not posited to be truth – but I was put off because in my opinion the screen writer did not depict the Dickens I think was true to life. But the thing was his work was fiction – and so I accept that.
But to corrupt any original masterpiece is to taint it….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much for commenting – it does to me too. Yes I think you’re absolutely right that there must be room for artistic interpretation but not to rewrite or change something because it doesn’t prescribe to modern mentality. Thanks again for your comment and have a great day :O)
LikeLiked by 1 person
well I am still put off by the Dickens portrayal – and might even write about it – but to twist the original is a egregious
and wishing you a great day too
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’re inspired to write about it I’d say go for it 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks – I definitely will – just not sure when – but I know it is not this week for sure – ha!
have a ncie day
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think revisionism is a tricky area for books, films, theatre. It is equally difficult in the public domain where historical cases are being retried on today’s standards. Not easy to decide upon.
Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
And who should decide………..?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is always a prevailing hegemony that tends to do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree to the quote – History is there to teach us a thing or two, to learn or to unlearn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your comment 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I could go back in time, there would be many things I would have done different, But in the long run….as said, we learn, well hopefully learn, from our misakes, and this is what makes us …US….mistakes, struggles, failures, heart aches, etc, are all tools to make us stronger people…..AND that is what is wrong with this world……none of the above are practised anymore…….everyone is now a ‘victim’…seriously people!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right! It’s almost as if, in our attempts to create a perfect world we’re destroying those things that could actually help us achieve it. Thanks so much for your insight 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
People now a days, especially women, are so trying to be what they are NOT..I wish they would just be who they are..far more attractive than a wanna-be-….no wonder families are destroyed and struggling to stay together..the day of the woman…who was, as far as i am concerned, is the Home maker…..Where are they now??? trying to prove to the world they want to be like men?!!! WHY?????
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wish I knew. We are all different and I don’t know why we can’t embrace that rather than trying to enforce ‘equality’.
LikeLike
We can embrace it, thats the problem…..women now a days are seriously taking it to the extreme….its embarrassing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly I think that you’re right x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. Nobody has the right to rewrite the work of a deceased author anyway, even if this was not so ridiculous. Why not just add some kind of warning text to the blurb on the back or cover of the book to say that it was written in the context if the time and may not fit with modern sensibilities?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes that would be a much better solution 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great post! I think a lot of people would go back to change things (myself included). But, wow, just wow! I can’t understand re-writing books, that’s just insane to me. Sad even!
No matter how many people you try to please, there will still always be someone offended. Catering to, and feeding that sensitivity to such an extreme is beyond me!
Live and learn… then suck it up people. History is behind us for a reason, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t agree more Didi! Thanks so much for your comment 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really loved this post. I shared it on my site, Historydojo. I credited you, of course.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tyler that’s so kind 😊
LikeLike