Presentism – Could you separate your identity from those in history?
Assignment
Completion checkbox for M7 Written Assignment: Presentism – Could you separate your identity from those in history?
It is time to close this course. It certainly went fast. I imagine that as many questions were generated as were answered.
One caveat that was introduced in the beginning of the course was whether we would ever be able to have an understanding of people who live different lives. This is always a question, and is the source of many of the issues with diversity. How can I know who you are, as you know yourself?
In the context of this course, it is the question to answer in this, your final paper.
Give two identities in two different eras that you identified with. Provide some background on their lives.
Describe at least three ways in which you believe you have an understanding of their lives. Perhaps these related to shared gender, shared level of opportunity, or other connections.
Provide at least three ways in which you suspect that you are not able to understand their lives. You may have to use your imagination, but defend your answers empirically (with facts).
Provide some conclusions about Western Civilization and Human Development that you have gleaned from this course. What is a useful course to you? In what way? What did you learn that will make a difference in your future?
Presentism – Could you separate your identity from those in history?
Introduction
Throughout history, individuals have lived in vastly different eras, experiencing unique challenges and opportunities. As we reflect on the lives of people from the past, it is natural to wonder if we can truly understand their experiences and separate our own identity from theirs. In this paper, we will explore two identities from different historical eras, examine the extent to which we can understand their lives, and draw conclusions about Western Civilization and Human Development based on our findings.Identifying with Two Different Identities
- Mary Shelley - 19th Century:
- Background: Mary Shelley was an English writer who is best known for her novel “Frankenstein”. She lived during a time when women’s opportunities were limited and societal expectations were rigidly defined.
- Rosa Parks - 20th Century:
- Background: Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. She lived during a time of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States.
Understanding Their Lives
- Shared Gender:
- Mary Shelley: As a woman, I can understand some of the challenges she faced in a patriarchal society, where women were often marginalized and their voices were suppressed.
- Rosa Parks: Being a woman myself, I can empathize with the gender-based discrimination and societal expectations that Rosa Parks had to confront.
- Empathy and Imagination:
- Mary Shelley: By reading her works and studying the historical context, I can develop a sense of empathy and imagine the struggles she might have faced as a female writer during a time when literary recognition was predominantly reserved for men.
- Rosa Parks: Through reading about her experiences and listening to her interviews, I can empathize with the daily humiliations she endured due to racial segregation and understand her motivations for taking a stand against injustice.
- Historical Research:
- Mary Shelley: By studying the social, political, and cultural aspects of the 19th century, I can gain insights into the limitations and expectations placed on women, enabling me to better understand the constraints Mary Shelley may have faced.
- Rosa Parks: Through researching the history of racial segregation and the civil rights movement, I can grasp the systemic racism and prejudice that Rosa Parks confronted, allowing me to comprehend the significance of her defiance.
Limitations in Understanding Their Lives
- Contextual Differences:
- Mary Shelley: Despite shared gender, it is challenging to fully grasp the societal norms, expectations, and limitations of the 19th century, which may have influenced Mary Shelley’s life in ways that are difficult for us to fully comprehend.
- Rosa Parks: While we can intellectually understand racial discrimination, it is hard to truly feel the depth of the pain, fear, and injustice that Rosa Parks experienced as an African American living in a segregated society.
- Historical Distance:
- Mary Shelley: The vast temporal gap between the 19th century and the present makes it difficult to fully grasp the nuances of Mary Shelley’s life and the context in which she lived. Our modern perspectives and values may hinder a complete understanding.
- Rosa Parks: Despite our efforts to empathize and comprehend her experiences, we cannot truly replicate the emotional and psychological toll that racial discrimination had on Rosa Parks and other African Americans of her time.
- Subjective Perspectives:
- Mary Shelley: While we can gather information about Mary Shelley’s life, it is challenging to truly understand her inner thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences that shaped her identity as a writer and a woman.
- Rosa Parks: Despite our best efforts, we cannot fully enter Rosa Parks’ mind and comprehend the internal struggles she faced while fighting for civil rights.