Explain why it is both necessary and helpful to study the context of prior history, especially the experiences of participants in that history, in order to understand what is valued by these participants. Also, what resources will be most helpful to you as a student of history?

It’s is helpful to study prior history and the participants in that history, so you have a better underrating on what they were going through. You couldn’t explain something to someone, especially history by stating what only happened. I would be difficult to fully grasp why the actions were done in such ways. Examining the history of different participants’ experiences gives a much clearer picture of their viewpoint, feelings, and opinions during a certain time period.
Not long ago in America, the African-American Civil Rights Movement encompasses social movements whose goal was to end racial segregation and discrimination against black Americans and enforce constitutional voting rights to them. Now what went on shortly before that, we were at war yet again. During that time we were at war with Vietnam. I recall reading from that black Americans were on the front line during the Vietnam War. They felt as if they were dogs, didn’t have rights and no one wanted to be next to them.
If you were to view this just from this standpoint I am sure you would have many unanswered questions. But this is the reason you need to view history prior to the event. Imagine not knowing anything about history. Imagine there is no documentation of any historic event or person. It would be impossible to learn from past mistakes. We would know nothing of those who came before us and all of their struggles and successes. We need to study history so we may make informed decisions on very important current events and issues, just look at what we have learned in this past week. France underestimated Vietnam, and so did America, you would think they we would have learned from another countries mistake before going to war for 15 years.
If you think what would have happened if America was never discovered by Columbus? I find that statement odd in itself, how can someone discover something where people already live? But imagine if they didn’t come to the new world, there was no American revolution. What would this place look like today? This is why history is important; one belief is that you are the past. If you think of yourself, if someone says explain who you are, you can’t make up things that didn’t happen yet.
The main resource for me and probably many others is the internet. The world is literally at your fingertips. Granted there are many websites out there that can have false information but it is best to use reputable web pages.
We all know that Wikipedia isn’t one of those webpages since anyone can edit the information. Many times we are tempted to use this page for our information since it is the go to site for nearly everything, but it is best to stay away.
Another resource I like to use is documentaries they give you someone’s viewpoint on a situation. I like viewing a few different documentaries on the same topic in order for me to get a full spectrum. I like to keep an open mind on things and I don’t want to be flooded with someone else’s opinion.
Lastly you can use old fashion books, or articles. They will take time to find and take longer to gather all the information you need. When I lived in Vegas we had a library right down the road from my house, it wasn’t that great but in a pinch it had what I needed. Luckily for me I live one block away from a community college and I am allowed to use their library.
I would like to conclude by stating if you don’t know where you came from you will not know where to go. Maybe this is why the world is the way it is now. People forgot to look back on our past, are we to stubborn to even think about what we are doing wrong. Look at the presidential debate from twenty years ago, then watch the one from 2012, same issues different people. We need to educate ourselves on the past in order for us to finally move forward.