Fashion caught my eye first. I was happy to start wearing flared and even bell-bottomed jeans and peasant blouses in the 90s while those in my mother's generation wondered why in the world we'd do such a thing. It didn't occur to me that trends were revolving so quickly that I was wearing the same styles that had been popular when I was a toddler (yes, I wore bell-bottoms as a tot). Now, however, I look around at the students at my babysitting charge's school and feel as though I've flashed back to 1986. Leggings and off-the-shoulder shirts and side pony tails. I read a fashion magazine promoting bright pink lipstick and bright, almost neon, colors for clothing.

Then it was more serious things. The anti-war protests, reminiscent of the Vietnam-era. An article about the Olympic torch relay today on Yahoo news recalls the "boycott era of the 1970s and '80s." Readings I did for class this week about the struggle between science/reason and religion in the early 20th century might as well have been written yesterday. I could go on.

Although I have long been a fan of historical stories--of the lives of certain people, or quirky historical anecdotes--studying history has never really been that important to me. I am beginning to realize, however, that history really does repeat itself, and that there is not much new under the sun. By studying and understanding the events and struggles of the past, we might gain better understanding of our own time. By knowing what was done before, what worked and what didn't, perhaps we have a chance to not repeat our ancestors' mistakes.

What we as a nation--and indeed as a global community--wrestle with has most likely been dealt with before. Health care, poverty, immigration, war and peace, the economy, reproductive rights, and equality, to name a few, all have long histories. We are not the first generation to deal with these issues, and unfortunately most likely will not be the last.

I would suggest that we be guided by the Akan term, sankofa, which in the wording of one filmmaker means, "We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we understand why and how we came to be who we are today." (sankofastore.com/catalog/homepage.php).

So I offer this challenge, to myself and to others: pick an issue you're passionate about, whether it be education or the environment or the separation of church and state or what have you, and do a little research on it. I'm not talking a major undertaking, but find out when and where this issue has come up before. Know what kind of "memories" it holds in today's struggle. I'll share what I find out about the issue I choose--and please share your own findings!