english pegs

I put that picture on there so I would have a photo for my profile on the blogger main page, which I know the rest of you don't have one! (and let me tell you.. its difficult as hell to get one so.. abstaining is good.)

Today in my English class we were having a discussion (in small groups) about the reading we completed over the weekend. It pertained to the European-Indian relations when the colonists colonized (imagine that) America. While trying to decipher her problems she encountered a new one: everyone places there own opinions and judgments on their experiences and ultimately in their writing, dissolving the facts of history or at least distorting it. All the authors she researched had contradictory explanations for the treatment and counter-actions of the Indians. And they all had their justification and "evidence." What I came to see in this essay was that history is based on two things: what we hear and what we already know. What I know is that the world is not black and white, therefore there are can be a gray area where history is concerned. Believing that every account in history is not tainted by bias or opinion is not only foolish, but wrong. What Jane Tompkins (who is the author) is trying to convey is that while trying learn from past mistakes in history she discovered that even though you may read something, it may not be entirely true. Her solution was to take it with a grain of salt and accept it, because you cannot change the opinions of others, only they have that power. But who's to say that they will search for the evidence that labels theirs false?

Maybe they will, maybe they wont. All I know now is that the girl I sit by (who I know is a busy-body and probably needs to be taken down a peg or two or six) doesn't like what I say or think. She's not as smart as she believes she is... hummm is that my opinion? :) guess so.. at least I can admit it.

good night all. See you on the reverse.