The great debate about who were heroes or villains of history continues. Should we apologise, be ashamed of countries and populations our home country has attacked, or those which have attacked us? Surely no individual can be help responsible for the actions of their parents or grandparents, or these of the same religion or nationality?
British Empire - Good, Bad, Guilt? Relevant?
Are children over-protected? What about adults, and tourists?
But when the armies were out conquering, committing atrocities which nobody back home knew about, what was life like back home? Most British people were in the same poverty as those elsewhere in the Empire.
Most people couldn't read to know what was going on.
Before cars and railways and planes, city and country folk did not travel far from home. They only went to places where they could walk.
The Brontes
As for lifespans and medicine, thank of the Brontes dying early from TB. Charlotte Nicholls (née Brontë; 21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855)
Other problems were the plague, the flu, polio, childbirth.
People lived day to day. No fridges. You bought food for supper from the market. Before WW2, my father went to school with a hot potato for lunch in winter and an apple in summer.
When we travel, it is easy to see cities in summer weather as idyllic. But mostly holiday spots in the UK and much of Europe and France are empty of visitors and attractions in chilly winter.
When you go to history museums, you often hear and see the worst. For years I tried to avoid visiting Germany and Poland because I thought to avoid the holocaust museums would be like ignoring the victims. Yet visiting them would be depressing.
I went to Dublin, and in a history museum was afraid to speak aloud and reveal my British accent.
In Vietnam, I felt very sad in the harrowing history museum. I felt that American and French visitors would feel awkward.
But those in the tourism business do not want wars. They have ways to make visitors feel at easy.
When travelling, I don't blame the Italians for crucifixion. I admire Roman roads and mosaics. And love Italian food.
The Incas had sacrifice but we admire their cities. It is exciting to discover that you can still meet descendants, or inheritors of the Incas, Mayans and others you have read about in books, and nowadays can see on Youtube.
The Indonesians had cannibalism. (I met the grandson of a cannibal). But we admire and climb their volcanoes.
The Romanian ruler was Dracula. Romanians nowadays say he was no worse than others in that era.
The Indians burned widows (suttee). But the temples are a joy. Avoid Delhi belly and enjoy the food.
The Germans had Nazis, but they have Jewish museums, and most of the people you meet were born after WW2.
The native Americans were killing and scalping other tribes. But we as children loved to dress up as what we called Red Indians. You can learn a native Indian language on Duolingo.
All wars kill people, unless you have a David and Goliath boxing match by two designated leaders - and abide by the results. Also three major world religions, followed by millions in most countries (except Russia and China, which are keen to expand using their military) have sacred books, praising the massacre of the enemy or non believer, and encouraging that to continue.
People from all over the world decry America and Britain, yet tourism thrives and so does immigration. Just look at any London bus, train or street.
The supermarkets in London display goods from around the world. If you find history unsettling, you can relate to local culture by exploring the food and drink.
What is there to enjoy? London supermarkets and restaurants offer delights from all around the world.
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