06-16-2009, 07:55 AM
Quote:The relativism of the 1920s, 1930s, and early 1940s returned in a different covering cloth as literary criticism and deconstruction in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. It is a by-product of our egalitarian age: if everyone and everyone's opinions are equal, then everyone's histories are also equal. Just rewrite the past to fit present needs. History empowers, so it is acceptable to deconstruct the history of those in power, and reconstruct it for those who are not. African-Americans are embracing their African heritage, but in the process some extremists are now claiming all of Western civilization as their own--the Egyptians were black, along with the Greeks and Romans, who stole their legacy from the Africans. Native-Americans are also recapturing their past, but in the process some are blaming the white European male for all that is evil in the world.
Great quote, Paul, laudes. I can't agree more. I just got slated in another history forum for using the term "oriental despoty" in connection with the merciless human wave attacks of the Ottomans on the walls of Constantinople in 1453, which was their most effective weapon (and not the artillery). PC has made it impossible to use ever such terms, even in a limited context, where it's use is justified.
Although the main bombard actually burst, and the breaches were filled by the Byzantines, it has to be the modern Turkish cannon which was instrumental in the victory, not the antiquated scale ladders, because Western European siege were by then also decided by siege artillery. Cut every ear that sticks out, that's egaliltarianism in historical science, the strongest currrent today in writings on world history.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
