He discusses how in the years since Social Amnesia was first published society has oscillated from extreme subjectivism to extreme objectivism, which feed off each other and constitute two forms of social amnesia: a forgetting of the past and a pseudo-historical consciousness. Jacoby's new self-evaluation has the same sharp edge as the book itself, offering special insights into the evolution of psychological theory during the past two decades.In his probing, self-critical new introduction, Jacoby maintains that any serious appraisal of psychology or sociology, or any discipline, must seek to separate the political from the theoretical. It is simultaneously a critique of present practices and theories in psychology. Social Amnesia is an effort to remember what is perpetually lost under the pressure of society. In this book, Jacoby excavates the critical and historical concepts that have fallen prey to the dynamic of a society that strips them both of their historical and critical content. Discourse around the country has revealed the effects of collective forgetfulness as some people proclaim that Cooks arrival marked the beginning of the “shaping of our great nation”, choosing to ignore that an established nation already existed.Russell Jacoby defines social amnesia as society's repression of remembrance - society's own past. Driven by our young people’s desire to know more about our history it seemed timely, as we also commemorated the arrival of Captain Cook and the meeting of two peoples like it was something to celebrate, and for some it was, but for many others it certainly was not. Interestingly in 2019, New Zealand's early history became a focus for curriculum at both primary and secondary levels, with the government announcing compulsory history of NZ to be implemented by 2022.
This body of work acknowledges our personal ideologies but challenges us to question our knowing and seek continued discourse and action. This has resulted in generations of people in unrest and turmoil. What was not recognised or understood by the colonials was actively dismissed and in some cases, forcibly denied to Maori and consequently Aotearoa as a growing nation. Social Amnesia has certainly occurred in Aotearoa with Maori history, reo, tikanga and matauranga being examined and assessed against a colonial counterpart.
“History is written by the victors” Winston Churchill To reclaim who we are is to speak our truths. Instead are to act like pou whakairo, tukutuku or kowhaiwhai in our wharenui, collectively activating the space to allow a response from the viewer’s knowing and personal ideology. These works are by no means a resolution to the discussion nor a map to a resolution.
#Social amnesia jacoby series
As a result I have composed a series works that instinctively download written knowledge into contemporary print formats utilising new technologies of laser-cutters into wood, with handmade marks and graffiti spray-paint and stencils to underlay or overlay colour. I started by looking at the introduction of the printing letterpress and the effects on Māori in the 1800’s as a means to explore what is happening now in terms of text, print and printmaking and fell into the gaping holes in my knowledge in regards Aotearoa's basic history. This work sees me developing a strong interest in the history/whakapapa of Aotearoa. Social amnesia is encouraged to prevent unrest and possible rebellion, all the while enabling us to “move on” and let go, but who is doing the letting go here? The result is often the minority group forgetting their true history as they, generation by generation, assimilate to a new knowing of themselves. This status is highly favoured by those in colonial power who go to great lengths to ensure the status quo through law making, governance and the institutionalisation of almost all aspects of life. However, we often fail to see the whole truth rather opting instead to accept a comfortable understanding that does not require too much reflection or explanation. This creates the tendency for some to ignore certain parts of history, or precedent, when discussing the present and more importantly, informing the future.Īs people of varying backgrounds we know aspects of our history, the aspects that affect us the most. This often occurs after trying and difficult times for example the coming together of two peoples, one must often relinquish its ways to that of the other either by need or force.
Social Amnesia is a term referencing the work of Russell Jacoby, that refers to the collective forgetting by a group of people and can be a result of forcible repression of memories, ignorance, changing circumstances or changing interests. Forgetfulness is to be reckoned with always
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