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Blog archive

November 2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Who Controls Our History Controls Our Future

By Blog Master
Posted: 07/25/2021
Tags:

Special thanks to Sharon Jarrett

The meeting began with a reflection which employed the statement “He who controls

the past controls the future”.


The group focused on the concept that “traditional”; historical narratives were being

revealed to not, in fact, reflect history as revealed in primary source materials,

contemporaneous reporting and oral history. Many participants reported finding this

emerging knowledge to be unsettling and disturbing.


Many examples were provided by the participants of historical matters they were

unaware of such as the role of African American women in the suffrage movement, the

Tulsa Massacre, the Mt Meadow massacre, and the new information on the events of

the Alamo.  The fact that these events are being revealed to be very different from the

history taught in the past led to a brief discussion of the myth of history rather than fact

of history.  Several participants reported feeling this was endangering the country.


One participant noted that beyond the facts not being taught, current education did not

teach students how to judge facts and sources, make judgements or ask questions. 

Students are not taught the skills to be a critical thinker.


The group next reflected on the appropriateness of having varied laws on voting among

the states.   The question was raised about the federal level determining how voting

proceeded.  No conclusions were reached.


One participant suggested familiarizing ourselves with the work of Marshall Rosenberg

in the book “Compassionate Communication”.  The author outlines a process for

discussion including:


  •  observing the behavior of those you are engaged with
  •  identifying your feelings about this behavior
  •  stating your needs 
  •  respectfully requesting changes in behavior


Starting conversations locally using these processes was discussed.  Included was the

suggestion that using elements of the sharing economy can be an open way to begin. 


One participant shared how her neighbors changed when she placed a mini lending

library in her yard, then began sharing vegetables from her garden and eggs from her

hens.  An environment of trust was established and a willingness to be open to

discussion.


The meeting concluded with another thought for reflection...appreciate others and care

for yourself.


The next meeting is scheduled for August 20th at 12 PM PST.


The regular meeting scheduled for the first Friday of the month, August 6th, has been

canceled due to other personal commitments of the moderator. We hope to see everyone

again on the third Friday.


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