week 1 thoughts from london and such

To be honest, I had planned on writing one of these, in addition to this blog and the others, relating my experiences in London. Unfortunately, after only one day there I fell ill to e-coli. So, this particular entry will be a combination of some thoughts from home, having arrived two days ago, and the UK (what I did manage to see there anyway).

I have no idea what I was expecting to find in London and Westminster, but to be sure it was a few thousand less monuments. Having been to DC and now South Africa, I thought that the two places had almost a plethora of monuments that were awfully grand to represent just a few individuals. In particular, I am referring to huge grandiose monuments like that of Rhodes in South Africa, and Washington and Jefferson in DC. Previous entries detail my feelings about idolization beyond memory. But the Brits, those cheeky bastards, proved me wrong. Never in my life have I seen so many statues. I had to laugh thinking that at least eighty five percent of them were of white colonialists, conquerors, and usurpers of land. What was their pose? Gallantly riding horses towards the battle of taking barbarously for her majesty the queen, of course. It was an odd feeling looking at these statues after South Africa. I felt like asking every Brit if they knew what each statue was for. Instead, I settled for the guide on the Big Red Bus tour who generally commented that each person had added to the glory of the Empire. Classy.

Great Britain is a nation of tradition, I guess. That is, of course, if tradition implies a sense of pride, so that the past of one’s people is without a doubt the most important past of all. This is a sense of tradition, which in many ways has found its way into the States and South Africa as well. And people are always a reflection of the tradition they are raised in. Tradition, I think, can be a good thing. It is important to honor the past and know where we come from as a people. Some traditions, like gathering with family for the holidays, have great merit. But consider the harm done by tradition as well. In South Africa, there are many different traditions. Often these are based on color. Perhaps, the most devastating tradition though, is that people with different pasts have no future together. When tradition promotes a sense of entitlement, it certainly does not break down social barriers.

This is a risk as we move towards a reconciled world. A global community in which respect and understanding are paramount in inter-communal relations must be built on the pillars of humility and honesty as well. So when I look at the all of these countless monuments, I cannot help but guffaw a little at the idea that the English, or any people really, who are so blindly proud of tradition, are probably not meant to be ushers of reconciliation yet.

I am not saying one should not be proud of their nation/community. I am proposing, though, that tradition should be looked at in a celebratory and critical manner—just like anything else. If a peoples are moving towards equality for all, there is a risk if they cling to the belief of their own superiority of idea an practice. Equality should not entail other peoples coming to realize the greatness of just one groups’ past and tradition. This is, in fact, not equality and harmony. Rather, it is a form of uniformity that is dangerous and creates social rifts.

Indeed, upon re-entering the States as I talk to my family and friends I am made aware at how cautious I must be—that I do not insult their tradition as I propose ideas such as thinking critically about our own history.

It is a cautious game this reconciliation—and yet feathers should be ruffled sometimes. It helps molting and promotes new growth.

I think I just used a bird metaphor? Maybe I am still too sick. Until the end of the month—I go forth and tell person after person of my experiences. Hizzah for learning!