- 8/13/2009 1:55:16 PMOf Pyramids and PrideRecently I became aware of a fascinating piece of Wisconsin history - the existence of Aztalan. This is the site of an ancient Mississippian settlement and also the remains of some cool pyramids. Imagine that - pyramids in Wisconsin!
So I'm telling Michael about this and discussing a trip we will be making there very soon. I said to him, "from what I understand, the settlement is about 1000 years old. That is just slightly older than Moscow."
Check out the following links if you're interested in learning more about either Aztlan or Moscow:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztalan,_Wisconsin
- http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-003/?action=more_essay
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow
Michael's response, "I don't believe that."
"Why not?", I asked. He stood there sputtering for a moment and then began to talk about the great flood of Noah's age, Adam and Eve, the Tower of Bable. I said, "Huh? What are you talking about?"
My initial assessment was that Michael was having some trouble understanding time or time-lines and perhaps he wasn't sure where any of the mentioned topics fell into historical order. I briefly covered some global history, formation of the earth, Adam and Eve, the flood, tower of Babel, a little talk about Israel, Christ's birth, the founding of Moscow...
Nope! I should have known better than to confuse him with any facts. As soon as I mentioned "Moscow", his mind was made up. One thing we have definitely learned about Michael is his sense if pride when it comes to Russia and everything Russian. In his mind (and the mind's of many other Russians as well), Russia is first, best, oldest... you name it. The originator and source of all things.
Don't get me wrong, I know that Moscow is a very old city with a lot more history than the entire United States. Russia is also much closer to the "cradle of civilization" than America - both geographically and historically. But let's keep this discussion in perspective. We are talking about North American People who were walking around and establishing culture and community in Wisconsin before the city of Moscow was established - not before time existed or before Adam and Eve or about a separate group of people who somehow also survived the flood.
It didn't matter. Once he has his mind made up, there is little use in trying to tell him otherwise. Although you can continue to speak with Michael, and he may even outwardly nod his head while you speak - he clearly does not agree with you when you present him with the facts. So we will travel to Aztlan and let Michael stand on a piece of history. Then he can work it out in his own mind.
