Politics of the past: the use and abuse of history - Socialists ...

historical knowledge among the younger generations of Latvians,
twentieth century history is still too rooted in identities and personal
histories to be entirely forgotten. A lapse in the knowledge of historical
facts would be easily replaced by history myths – most likely
of a nationalist kind. Just like collective remembrance, collective
oblivion presupposes tweaking historical identities and that is
bound to add to the problem instead of solving it. Both making people
remember correctly and making them forget are unsustainable
social engineering projects in an open society.
The third option is that of collective reflection. This would not, in
the foreseeable future, lead to a broader and universal notion that
incorporates the different personal histories and identities of Latvians.
One can indeed hope that, at some point, Latvians of various
extractions may come to see their histories as common history.
There is a vast array of themes where a sense of commonality can
be created naturally as a common present becomes a common
past. But for a long time to come, diversity management is the order
of the day: accept the diversity of perspectives, encourage their interpretation
in a compatibility mode. Let there be multiple histories
– multiple histories are not necessarily irreconcilable. Refusal to
use the word occupation does not amount to political disloyalty;
unwillingness to celebrate Victory Day in Riga does not make one
a Nazi revanchist. This can be a frustrating and discomforting
exercise at times, but the alternatives are worse. Along with learning
history, Latvians have to learn to live with seeing it differently. Any
collective reflection over history should start with mutual acknowledgement
of the initial historical perspectives. Just as importantly,
history should finally be decoupled from today’s ethno-linguistic
issues and differences. Such differences should be addressed
through direct negotiation of interests and positions without seeking
to undermine each other’s legitimacy with historical arguments.
This option is only likely to work if Latvian society recognises its
real problem with history is not historical identities, but political
practices. Latvians need to become a civic nation, and they can
only do so by taking the multicultural step. Put very simply, this
would mean recognising not just the obvious diversity, but also the
legitimacy of the different political interests it brings about – be it
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