myth making

I believe that any process of identity or origin formation (including identity formation of the US) turns to myth to create a narrative that many people can understand, and disseminate to others. Usually the actual process of identity formation is complex, long and not always glorious. Identity myths, typically created by people in power, are a form of storytelling that explains identity or origin in a succinct, simpler form. The story can also be manipulated by excluding or including certain perspectives to create a narrative that best suits those in positions of authority. Moreover, because they are stories they can be passed down through oral culture from generation to generation. For example, many myths have grown up surrounding the “founding fathers” and the decisions that turned the states from colony to country. Often these myths are useful because they generate a single perspective which can be easily reported, taught and explained. These stories become powerful because they reside in the consciousness of million of people. They help to unite populations, to inspire pride and focus the public’s attention on a select few people and characteristics.
The origin making practices of a country are similar to those of religions. Much of what people believe is not “fact” in the sense of “able to be proven”. Rather, the religions rest on a set of assumptions that are often communicated through narrative, and, consequently, myth. Like the stories of nation formation, religions create stories based around certain perspectives that communicate a purpose and unity among it people.
I think it is always dangerous to describe myth as fact. To label something a fact creates a protective barrier around that idea. People are less willing to challenge it and are more content to support it, reference it and defend it. With events so convoluted as those constituting the origins of countries or religions it is useful to keep in mind that history does not move in a straight, uncomplicated line. Most often stories of origin or identity are the condensed, censored version of many years of conflict and struggle. To glorify something as ‘fact’ then simply means that a large number of people in power want to suggest that a certain idea is true.