Where did this neglect of one's own ancestors come from ? Does focussing on knowing one's ancestors extend to justifying all their actions ? Are they best left as they are, consigned to dustbins of history which as we know is written always by victors ?
If someone asks me what I know about my ancestors, I would probably respond defensively knowing very well they have stuck an open wound. I can trace it to the procastination I have in spades.
When I refer to my ancestors, I am referring to the people who followed practices that led to what I am today. I am well aware that it covers a lot of people and practices and probably involves intermingling of cultures. Some of those cultures have done an exceedingly well in maintaining record of who came before them. As for me, the lack of awareness of my ancestors strikes home whenever I read about someone holding fort on theirs.
Whether my ancestors were bigoted or narrow minded , I do not know. Given my propensity to think positive of anything or anyone, I would like to think they did what they thought was right at the time. Judging them through the prism of my present day culture would definitely show them in poor light.
Does revisiting one's history through the lens of present day moraes fair to those who came before us ? Then again, would I be as objective as I consider myself to be when it concerns my own flesh and blood ? Knowing myself, the answer is No.
