Context Is Everything
Context Is Everything
The first time I heard about Cecil Rhodes and his longer history was during a visit to Oxford, England in September 2017 with a group of CCCU leaders for the Oxford Onclave. Standing before us was the Dean of Corpus Christi, who detailed the problems her college officials were facing as students angrily protested the removal of the Cecil Rhodes statue. It all started on March 9, 2015. The movement known as Rhodes Must Fall began with a protest at the University of Cape Town and eventually spread to Oxford University, gaining enormous public attention. Even though it felt like these battles had been going on for far longer than 2015’s staging, the removal of the large statue of Cecil Rhodes from the University of Cape Town happened at lightning speed. However, at Oxford University’s Oriel College, a statue of Rhodes still stands. Journalist Amit Chaudhuri[1] claims it’s still standing as an acknowledgement of the $100,000 he (Rhodes) left the college in his will.[2] I listened curiously as the Dean expressed her position on the matter with forthrightness unearthing many questions for me–yet, one thing was for sure: on multiple levels, I lacked context.
As I was reading The Secret History of Oxford by Paul Sullivan, I was pleasantly surprised by how the historical contents of the book provided context. As I recalled the Dean’s forthrightness for why Oxford chose to keep the Rhodes statue, I wondered how often I might be in danger of missing something important in my reading?
How Vital is Context?
Looking back, I remember the Dean’s first statement after telling the story of Rhodes:
We need more history, not less.
How does this statement resonate with me? Truth be told, Sullivan’s sixty summary pages of the Oxford colleges might have been repetitive and dry if not for the fact that Magdalen College held such famous names as Dudley Moore, Oscar Wilde and C.S. Lewis. Or, to my surprise, Balliol College was famous for John Wycliffe, King Olav, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Graham Greene and Richard Dawson. Knowing that Somerville College sprung from an association of higher education for women[3] endears Dorothy Sayer’s writing and work to me all the more. Gaining more history of the colleges and not less, brings us an awareness of how diverse[4] the student body of Oxford University truly was through the centuries; I imagine Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher studying in the same library. But I am still left with this question: Is context closely related to how history is told?
Best practice is to leave the artifacts and talk about it in context, was the Dean’s second point or as she called them, lessons. The controversy surrounding the Rhodes’s statue is steeped in the argument that he was racist. One New York Times journalist writes, “Biographers and critics have highlighted his racist views saying his discriminatory policies against native residents paved the way for apartheid.”[5] Or what about the school board leaders in San Francisco who changed the names of the schools because past presidents Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and poet Robert Louis Stevenson didn’t meet their standards? The decision process, however, was considered a joke as a cursory Google search was used and, “Historians were not consulted.”[6]
How do we talk (in context) about the historical figures of whom schools are named? Or is it better for unity within community to change the names? Reading Sullivan’s chapter on Statues and Memorials helped me remember people who did both good and evil, kind and sinful things along with remembering the context. Might remembering the context help us not repeat the parts of history that are pure evil? Or does elevating someone’s name send an altogether different message?
The dean’s final words as we left that day were more of a question and one I will keep close in mind as we prepare to spend a week in Oxford, England:
Why do we “statutize” people?
Is it a form of judging? Might putting people on pedestals be to our peril? In the Preface to Paul Sullivan’s book, he writes about how he came to learn of the “secrets of Oxford,” on his way to explore a castle. While he’s sitting on a small boat, someone’s floating home, he discovers the local beer, the Kite Public House and the American Crayfish that infest the river. This tiny, introductory story gives us context of why he wrote the book and gave it the title he did. To answer the question above about why we “statutize” people, remember them, talk about their heroic or horrible deeds, I believe Paul Sullivan prepares a space for readers (particularly for us) to listen and learn with our most authentic selves while we are posed with the question, “What does this history mean for us today as we study leadership?” How might we be so very careful about talking about our values and applying them? May I be aware, more than before, that context is everything.
[1] Admit Chaudhuri is listed as an alum of Oxford University in Sullivan’s book, The Secret History of Oxford.
[2] Chaudhuri, “The Real Meaning of Rhodes Must Fall.”
[3] Sullivan, The Secret History of Oxford.
[4] Dr. Jason Clark’s comment during today’s (8/28/23) chat puts my use of “diverse” in even more context.
[5] Peltier, “Scholars at Oxford University Refuse to Teach Under Statue of Colonialist.”
[6] Kamiya, “The Holier-Than-Thou Crusade in San Francisco.”
About the Author
Pam Lau
Pamela Havey Lau brings more than 25 years of experience in speaking, teaching, writing and mediating. She has led a variety of groups, both small and large, in seminars, trainings, conferences and teachings. Pam’s passion is to see each person communicate with their most authentic voice with a transparent faith in Jesus Christ. With more than 10, 000 hours of writing, researching, and teaching the heart and soul of Pam’s calling comes from decades of walking alongside those who have experienced healing through pain and peace through conflict. As a professor and author, Pam deeply understands the role of mentoring and building bridges from one generation to another. She has developed a wisdom in how to connect leaders with their teams. Her skill in facilitating conversations extends across differences in families, businesses, schools, universities, and nonprofits. Pam specializes in simplifying complex issues and as a business owner, has helped numerous CEOs and leaders communicate effectively. She is the author of Soul Strength (Random House) and A Friend in Me (David C. Cook) and is a frequent contributor to online and print publications. You can hear Pam’s podcast on Real Life with Pamela Lau on itunes. Currently, Pam is a mediator for families, churches, and nonprofits. You can contact Pam through her website: PamelaLau.com. Brad and Pam live in Newberg, Oregon; they have three adult daughters and one son-in-law. One small, vocal dog, Cali lives in the family home where she tries to be the boss! As a family they enjoy worshiping God, tennis, good food and spending time with family and friends.14 responses to “Context Is Everything”
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The writer-philosopher George Santayana is credited with the phrase: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
The idea of “statuizing” people has been under great scrutiny of late. U.S. Forts are changing their names, sports teams – the same.
I am not sure where my personal line is drawn. Idolizing sinister persons through statues (or names of teams) seems wrong. Yet, where does Santayana’s adage come into play? How do we remember without plunging ourselves into debates about statutes?
Thanks for your blogpost about Cecil Rhodes. It has caused me to wonder.
Shalom….
Russell~
What a quote to wrap around what I was trying to say! Thank you! Your last line, “Yet, where does Santayana’s adage come into play? How do we remember without plunging ourselves into debates about statutes?” feels like a question coming from a strategic thinking leader! Rather than wanting to debate about statutes, you point to focusing on the global framework: How do we remember? I appreciate your response!
I remember visiting a certain college with our oldest son several years ago. During the visit, the tour guide took us by the football stadium, where just outside the stadium stood the statues of some of the most successful coaches in the school’s history in that sport. One of the statues was of a coach who was not only still alive, but also still the coach! I thought, “What if that things don’t end terribly well with that coach…will there (should there?) still be a statue?”
Recently, William Gladstone’s family has been in the news. Yes, the same William Gladstone referenced in Sullivan’s book — the same Gladstone who attended Oxford and became Prime Minister in the late nineteenth century. The subject in the news is about Gladstone’s family, including his father, John, who was a slave owner in the British West Indies. I don’t know if there is a William Gladstone statue at Christ Church College, but I am curious how the school, Great Britain, and others are processing the conversation around reparations and Gladstone’s family. You can see the BBC piece about the subject here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-66606975
Travis,
I just finished the BBC piece you posted. On the one hand, there’s certainly a feeling of justice being served as the families three generations down willingly and openly make reparations. On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine how the families whose properties were stolen can ever have the wealth that is theirs! Thank you for posting that article. Do we have anyone modeling this kind of apology in the United States?
Your post has gotten me thinking about context as we all move forward with our NPOs this semester. Each one of us is addressing a Need, Problem or Opportunity, and I would wager that each one is based on our “here and now”. The world we find ourselves in, the current time and place not to mention denominational context or subculture, determines our NPO. These factors will also determine what solution is appropriate to address the NPO. And oh, I am so looking forward to getting more clarity on a solution! Anybody else in the same boat?
Brilliant thinking, Kim! So maybe we need to dig further back into history this semester and next before we actually offer a solution! As Russell mentioned: The writer-philosopher George Santayana is credited with the phrase: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
I hear you asking: “What must I remember?” What must we never forget so we can land on a solution?”
Leave the artifacts and talk about the context. . .Thank you for addressing this. I find myself in this tug of war between the past and present. There seems to exist a pull to judge the past based on current understandings and context. . . which I believe has something to do with attribution bias. Attribution bias refers to the negative tendency to judge a person’s character rather than the circumstances responsible for their particular action. Context should be considered, not as a means for shifting blame for past mistakes but as a way to celebrate the development and growth over time, catalyzing continued growth and understanding. Let Oxford be Oxford.
Cathy,
You brought back to my memory the days I taught Attribution Bias to my communication students and how often our discussions became overheated in the classroom. Thank you for bringing this into the conversation as I didn’t even make the connection. Even as 50-something-year-old woman, I still battle with attribution bias when I am reading a news event or someone is telling me a story. How can we apply this to ourselves as we let Oxford be Oxford?
Pam,
I love how you brought this up. Our need to “statuize” people and how important context is to the entire narrative. Our society seems content to just allow the pendulum to swing back and forth always hitting the extremes! What a difficult task to find mentors and leaders to influence and shape our direction and what a scary pedestal to be on! I always note this when I think of church leaders and when they “fall” into sin. I find myself almost waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop when a Christian or faith leader is gaining popularity and success, or an institution is gaining the same, or an author, or historical figure. your question of “statuizeing” is an intriguing one.
Jana,
I am with you! In fact, when I consider and think about the spirituality of my adult children’s friends/community, I stop myself from comparing them with my generation or my ideal because it just doesn’t exist for the exact reason you described. Contemporary Evangelicalism has made an idol of what a Christian leader’s life should be like. On another note, I just read a sweet article in CT’s special edition of Pastor Tim Keller. In it, a singer songwriter, who worked closely with Keller, tells the story of how Keller refused (adamantly so) to allow television or radio into his church when he was preaching. It was his sole desire for Jesus Christ to be the Center. I can follow and learn from that kind of leader. What are your thoughts?
“Why do we statutize people?”
Such an insightful question that I think highlights our natural tendency to mis-order our loves. Wouldn’t it be great if we could use people’s victories as well as their failures to be instructive and formative? But since that is not how we live, as a people, where is the balance we need to strike? I am thankful whenever I hear people asking questions like yours that start a helpful conversation!
Jen,
Ironically, that’s exactly what history teaches us: our leaders’ past victories and failures! And history or the past is a truthful instructor so why do we not follow her ways with our current leaders? Or maybe a better question is why our current leaders aren’t willing to model her instructions?
“Context is everything?” Hhhmmm? Another thought provoking quote by the great Pam Lau. As I walk the streets of Oxford, I will keep this quote in mind. Thank you Pam. As always, I’m looking forward to seeing ya’ again!
Todd,
As long as you take your beautiful pictures during our time at Oxford, you will help us to never forget the context of our trip! Looking forward to spending time together on the streets of Oxford.