The Personal Website of Mark W. Dawson

Dead White Men

Much has been said and written about the importance of dead white men in regards to modern times. Much has changed in the last fifty years. However, the basic human emotions (love, happy, hopeful, sad. angry, scared, insecure, suspicious, jealous) are still with us. As long as these emotions are with us composers, artists, and writers who expressed these basic human emotions are relevant. They help us to understand these emotions, and the conflicts within us as a result of these emotions. Exploring what they say about these emotions and conflicts is exploring the human soul. And exploring the human soul is always relevant. The settings and society may be different today but the emotions are the same. Therefore, as these dead white men explored these emotions the works of dead white men are still relevant.

Let us also remember that these dead white men were primarily responsible for the advances in medicines that have made our lives healthier and longer, the scientific and technological advances that have vastly improved the quality of life, and the expansion of economic opportunities and personal freedoms. Dead white men have not been perfect, but on balance they have done far more good than harm. Let us learn from dead white men mistakes, but let us also celebrate their positive accomplishments.