Personal History
This level is the natural extension of the narrowing process that was started on the cultural level. At this most intimate level, the specific events of the members of our family tree define who we are today. What we have learned though an examination of factual history and derived from our own cultural perspective becomes even further refined by what has happened to our family members.
This level is not responsible for underlying assumptions and values, but rather specifics. This is the level where the events move from a consciousness to a searing reality for us. It is at this level where one learns how the Great Depression affected their family.
This level is not meaningful if one does not have an appreciation of the other two levels. To hear stories about a grandfather fighting in WWII means little unless one understands where and why he was fighting. Without the proper context these are merely stories. However, when a person makes the proper links and puts the events in the appropriate context, they become the personalization of history. The line between story and history is a vague one. But, it is only through history that we can develop an understanding of the past's effects on our current lives.
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