Who Own's History Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Who Own's History - Research Paper Example Reference to history is part of humanity. It is quite hard for the society to move without visiting the history of yester years in developing policies today. Historians define history as events or scenes that occurred in the past. Past is not distinct, thereby leading to the question who determines history. The question may look cheap but quite nagging. Politicians make their references from historic events. They take there time to study historic events which had greater influence to human life, develop the event to suite their current conditions and unroll it to the society. This reason has led many people argue that history would reoccur in ones lifetime. Largely, the statement makes great sense in human life. The society owes a lot to history because the governance of the day depends on the governance of the previous day. Many people have taken their time to study what took place before their existence because the life of a man is history. Some documentation about history argues t hat a man would be ignorant if he does not take his time to explore what happened before he was born. The progress that the society boost of could only be realized when history is tabled. For instance, how would a person know his great grand father who died before he was born if history does not exist? Some people fear to study history arguing that historic events are past, yet they fail to recognize that history has influenced their lives today. This paper seeks to answer the question who determines which history is anointed as the true history. The quest for who determines which history is anointed as the true history leads to explorations of events that took place in the past. Eric Foner took his time as an historian to evaluate and determine who own history. He came out with his argument, which indicated that each individual in the society has a role in creating history. Studying history provides an opportunity for owning history. The study of the past helps in shaping the futur e by dictating the actions of today. The validity of this statement lies on the role that the government plays in the society. The government has its powers upon the people, yet it cannot exist without the people. Mr. Foner’s book who own history explores the nature of life in American history, South Africa and Soviet Union. His book provides an insight why there is no socialism in America. He goes a head to point out the importance of history in the community and the world. In the beginning of his book, Foner describes his early life in communist family. He started seeing the social and political gap that existed in America, though people claim that America is a land of liberty. The communist fight against racism influenced his life. Foner’s family had portrayed concern to the blacks whom the American white neglected or viewed as second-class citizens. Foner learnt that a person’s commitment in pursuing social justice would infuse the person’s view into history. Many articles and books that people read provide some element of truth to Foner’s view. Rising in the societal rank would expose a person to be remembered in history. Foner took this opportunity as an insight into studying history and changing the society. He took the road to academic success a means that would bring him to the limelight of history. Foner provides the history of America in his book by pointing out the social issues in the American society. He paints America as a nation that has condoned racialism under the guise of the western styles (Foner 157). His history is against the American, capitalists and democratic zeitgeist. The book portrays Foner as a left thinker. The book points the rise of Ronald Reagan and failure of the government to sustain the economy. He points the