In Frank Herbert's seminal work Dune, the character Irulan comments that in order to understand the history of the main character; "...that you first place him in his time."
The writing is as provocative as it is irreverent. What it is not, however, is ignorant of the importance of understanding history in order to apply it in context. Plainly stated, you'll never get it, if you never got it in the first place.
That point which appears to be lost on my alma mater, Prince George's College of New Caledonia. Our modern-day version of global geopolitics, while astounding, is nothing new.
You need spend only the smallest amount of time considering central European, North African and Mediterranean history to be struck by the frequent parallels, the destabilization of North African states through Western intervention and pedagogical colonialism (let's export freedom), and the proliferation of anti-Semitism (this one is happening within our own borders) throughout supposed intelligent, cosmopolitan Western states.
It's all happening now, all happened before and because we are too narrow minded to follow Irulan's advice and place history in its time to fully understand it - it will all happen again.
We live an in a rich, progressive Western state, and if our institutions of higher learning will not embrace the simple principle that knowledge of historical facts contributes to the higher understanding, interpretation and application of those very facts, I wither for what will undoubtedly be a troubled future.
Mike Houle
North Saanich, B.C.
