Remembering and Forgetting

Remembering and forgetting are essential processes in collective memory, which refers to how groups, like communities or nations, preserve and share their past. Remembering involves recalling significant events, experiences, and cultural narratives that shape a group's identity. This shared memory strengthens connections and influences future actions. Conversely, forgetting is equally important; it allows societies to move on from painful or outdated aspects of history, facilitating healing or progress. Together, remembering and forgetting help maintain a balance in how a group understands itself, influences social norms, and navigates its relationship with the past.