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Everyone has a history. That history is both individual and collective, and carries a certain value for each individual. Opinions as to the importance of this history are often expressed to others either by the words we say or through the things we write. Regardless of the form, however, one thing is clear. Our opinions concerning the usefulness of history are always being voiced. Arthur Schlesinger, Paul Smith, Malcolm X, and Aldous Huxley all have contrasting theories as to the usefulness of history in the formulation of the communities of which they speak.

Arthur Schlesinger, in his book The Disuniting of America asserts that, "history is to the nation rather as memory is to the individual. As an individual deprived of memory becomes disoriented and lost, not knowing where he has been or where he is going, so a nation denied a conception of its past will be disabled in dealing with its present or its future." (pp. 45-46) Simply put, history is vital to a nation as a whole. Should individual histories intermingle, this will result in a breakdown of community. Individual history should serve merely as memories and should never seek to obstruct the goals of the entire society."History is indispensable in to nations and groups in the process of making themselves," Schlesinger states. "How else can people establish the legitimacy of its personality, the continuity of its tradition, the correctness of its course?" (p. 48) Speaking of individuals who let their personal histories interfere use of history Schlesinger comments: The ethnic subcultures, if they had genuine vitality would be sufficiently instilled in children by family, church and community. It is certainly not the office of the nation to promote such artificial ethnic chauvinism." (p. 90) He continues, "Great artists, thinkers, leaders are the possession not just of their own racial clan, but of all humanity." (p. 92) History, one wrote, should not be a vehicle for pleasing or appeasing any social group it is, rather, a tool with which to pursue the truths about our common past." (p. 98)

Much like Schlesinger, Aldous Huxley believes that individual history is only nominally important within the framework of the entire community. He too subscribes to the forsaking of individual identify in anticipation of a stable history with the society as a whole. So strong is his belief in collectivity, that the focal point of the novel, Brave New World, is the abolition of individual identity and the adoption of

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