The myths we live by...
Myths are stories we live by, grounding narratives that define our identity and the stories we use to make sense of reality.
Myths are based in fact with a good dose of legend.
One of the myths that Afrikaners tell is the Great Trek and although it definitely happened, the reasons for it happening are not always that clear. The common mythical telling is that the trekkers desired freedom from British rule, when not wanting to let go of their slaves was also part of the reason (but not talked about).
Every culture has its myths, based in fact and fiction. This is not a problem, some stories are truer than facts. The problem is when those myths start to place one group up against another, the myth Hitler told is a good example, the apartheid myth another.
In short, and to paraphrase Robert Coover, we need myths to get by otherwise the randomness of experience overwhelms us, but we need good myths that bind us together and do not draw lines in the sand.
We are exploring the power of myth a bit more in the Palaestra this week, go take a look.
Tell better stories.
Pierre
