Dustin Hoffman's Jewish Moment

First, that was a powerful moment. And my wife and I had a bit of a discussion over it. When I was younger my Dad told me once: "If a gecko wants to claim that its great great great great grandfather was a Brontosaurus - why not grant it the benefit of the doubt? It doesn't harm you, and it makes them feel better. But...you are living now, and people won't judge you on your great great great great grandfather's exploits, successes, of failures. Live your life."

It seems that personal history does matter - the History of the Jews is one of continuing exile or exclusion, why? My Dad felt the sins of the Father should stay with the Father...so, for example, he never passed on his prejudice for English People (his Father and Mother were Irish), yet one of my brother's wanted to go over and fight during the troubles. I told him: "You are from Cleveland!"

One of my favorite Comedians ( Bill Burr) says that the stories you hear as children are the ones that last the longest. And when you hear stories when you are older they don't stick as much. I hate that we keep repeating the past, for we can't change any of it. You can't even change the clothes you wore ...yesterday. If you want a different tomorrow, you have to start today, and that changes the past. As far as I can tell, that equations doesn't change.

Maybe the kids should know their family history, and decide how much of it they want to embrace...or not. I know many people before Social Media and the Internet made everyone's past a present moment- where they escaped a past they didn't like, or started over as a "different person"- not so sure that can be done today. But anyways, Kathy and i had a running conversation - like this long ramble...because we watched a man who felt cheated out of his heritage, while building his own life story.