Last week I was interviewed by my friend Stan Deaton from the Georgia Historical Society. I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion and hope you will have a chance to take a listen. That said, I was disappointed with my response to his final question about my hopes for the upcoming Semisesquicentennial. In fact, I think I totally dropped the ball in my response.
Quoting Ty Seidule, "I want more history". The more (accurate) stories that are included in our national story, the richer and more truthful it will be.
I hope we can come together as a nation to observe the 250th anniversary of the founding. American
history is going through a rough period that will probably continue for some time to come. It doesn't tell the story that many in the country would like it to tell in the way that many want it told. I think this is true whether one is on the political right, the political left or in the center. But there is a story there that needs to be told and celebrated. The founding vision for this country was radical, for the late 18th century. It scared the bejesus out of the ruling elites in Europe. But it was narrow and exclusive and relied on enslaved people. And, fortunately over the last two and a half centuries we have expanded that vision, not as fast or as completely as we should have but we have expanded it and we are still expanding it. I don't think it will ever be complete. And, I think you make a positive contribution to telling this story
Quoting Ty Seidule, "I want more history". The more (accurate) stories that are included in our national story, the richer and more truthful it will be.
I hope we can come together as a nation to observe the 250th anniversary of the founding. American
history is going through a rough period that will probably continue for some time to come. It doesn't tell the story that many in the country would like it to tell in the way that many want it told. I think this is true whether one is on the political right, the political left or in the center. But there is a story there that needs to be told and celebrated. The founding vision for this country was radical, for the late 18th century. It scared the bejesus out of the ruling elites in Europe. But it was narrow and exclusive and relied on enslaved people. And, fortunately over the last two and a half centuries we have expanded that vision, not as fast or as completely as we should have but we have expanded it and we are still expanding it. I don't think it will ever be complete. And, I think you make a positive contribution to telling this story