Spotlight on Benjamin Kerger

Ben Kerger is double-majoring in history and Music (Percussion Performance) from Toledo, Ohio.

 

To me, history is primarily a study of thought, and not simply the thoughts of those we study. History is this vast swirling vortex of memory in which we are able to reach and pull out fragments. These fragments are of people’s lives, cultures, stories, and traditions before us. In pulling these fragments out, we are often left with pieces, and these pieces don’t always make sense when set next to each other.

To study history is to study the order in which these pieces might go together, and to look at the ways different pieces have been arranged by others, to draw upon them and discover the way that the pieces you are working with most well fit. In this I find what I most enjoy about studying history. Taking specific aspects of a culture, place or history all together and figuring out what—and why—different events happened, and to correctly understand how they did. It is an enjoyable, never-ending series of mysteries and thoughts, and I find myself constantly reaching back into that same vortex, time and time again.

 

There are some logistical reasons that I chose to be a history major, but the primary one is that I love the field. I’m consistently left in awe of the past and I find myself asking deeper questions to gain a better understanding of the world. To prepare for the future, we must look to the past—and in doing so, I find great comfort and a better understanding of both myself and of the story that we all continue to write. My passion for history is great, and if I wasn’t a history major—I imagine I’d find myself doing much of the work of one on my own! I suppose I might as well get taught how to do so properly.

 

This is a difficult question for me—if only because I’ve quite enjoyed all the courses I’ve taken within the history department here at Ohio State University. If asked to choose one, I’d say HIST 2201, History of Ancient Greece and Rome with Dr. Vanderpuy (with an honorable mention to HIST 3426, History of Modern Japan with Dr. Reed). Not only was this the first course I took within the major, but I found that it was the first course that asked me to really draw upon my own analysis and thought for argument. The answers weren’t laid out for me, but rather hidden within different primary sources; and it was my job to coordinate an argument from those sources, to put together the pieces in the way I saw fit. This is likely true for most history courses, but this was the first course to do so, and it left a lasting impact on me and the way I think about history and my own writing.

 

This is a question in which I imagine my answer will change from day to day, if not from hour to hour. There’s also two primary ways I think about it.

One: To have the chance to witness something, to observe, and to learn. In this regard I think currently my options are weighed between Ramesses II, Hannibal Barca, Alexander the Great, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Sargon of Akkad. If I had to pick one for this avenue, I think I’d go with Ramesses II. The specific day is difficult, though I think being present at the battle of Kadesh would be fascinating. The story of Ramesses II single-handedly fighting back his troops has always seemed like a myth, and I’d be curious to see how things played out. The battle itself was both massive, and historically significant. I think the different parts of the conflict would be interesting to witness.

 

Second: To change something, perhaps prevent something, or make something different happen. In this way, I think I’d want to be Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 18th, 1914. Though perhaps an obvious answer, if able to not travel through Sarajevo that day (or at all for that matter), it would’ve prevented his assassination and perhaps prevented WWI, which would likely change the arc of history for most of the 20th century. That said, there were a lot of other variables that eventually led to WWI, and so it may not entirely prevent it. Yet, I think the possibility would be worth using my ability to prevent his death.

 

There’s lots of little specific details and facts about parts of our world’s history that I think everyone should know, but I’d rather share a broader sentiment from my learning; that the past isn’t entirely known and understood. History isn’t in any way complete, and the mysteries that lie within it continue to remain: argued over, debated, and researched. History isn’t an overbearing, heavy, legacy from our ancestors that we must acknowledge. Rather, it is a flexible and broken story of culture, tradition, legends, puzzles, and events. To approach history as if it is a solved problem in which you are only to witness it and copy its answers is to miss the point of history entirely. Treat the past as if it is a vast and incomplete painting, asking you to finish it, and I think you might not find it as dull and difficult as it may appear.

 

For me, I most appreciate being a student at Ohio State for its vast number of resources and opportunities. I’m a creative person, and being able to pursue music at a very high level, while still being able to pursue history in a deep way has meant a lot. I’ve been able to perform across the city and been given access to talks by world-famous guests who travel to our university. There are options to travel, to research, to pursue internships, and to take a class in almost any subject I desire. I’m given the freedom to do all these things, with incredible faculty who are willing to aid and support me in my development. I’m thankful for what Ohio State allows me to do, and the opportunities it presents. I only wish that I’m able to take that advantage and go through as many of the doors that Ohio State unlocks for me as possible.