You will find no better explanation of the concept of contingency than in the movie Cast Away. Following his rescue from a small deserted island, in a remote corner of the Pacific Ocean, Tom Hanks, who plays Fed-Ex worker Chuck Noland, explains to his friend how the chance arrival of a piece of plastic on the beach, which he turned into a sail, led to his rescue and return to civilization.
You and Matthew Gabriele both have mentioned contingency in history recently, and it has been most helpful. The words of historians, Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr. (finishing “Why We Can’t Wait” right now, have been getting me through this week.
Re: Frederick Douglas speech, what happened to the school?
And as a Virginian, it broke my heart to learn, from you not in ANY of my Virginia history classes, about the Readjusters. What a missed opportunity, what sorrowful results.
This is a most powerful gift to me and others at a time of great chaos. Weaving history with present day circumstances makes history not only important but necessary IF we want democracy (equality, opportunity, respect) for all. I thank you for the theme of contingency and the words of Frederick Douglas.
"Just know that not everyone that follows your posts are liberals."
Fair enough. I'm not much of a "liberal" any more myself, and I follow everything Kevin posts.
But it seems important to stipulate that it doesn't take a liberal to see that there's nothing remotely conservative about this historic triple abomination:
* the Monstrous Election Lie,
* the presidentially instigated violent attack on the Capitol, and
* the unleashing of many hundreds of vicious criminals.
Opposition to such grotesque depravity is plainly and unambiguously conservative, even in the hearts of ultraliberals--and even though liberals in general have plenty to answer for, though not on the colossal scale of dread that justifies and affirms Kevin's posting of his thoughts at this fraught moment.
I apologize if I should have just left this alone. Maybe I should've. But the dread is real, valid, and ***not remotely equivalent*** to concern about what "liberals" do.
I appreciate this and I agree with you. As a matter of fact I think it is important to move beyond the binary of liberal v. conservative/Democrat v. Republican when it comes to Trump. He divides Americans in ways that few, if any, previous presidents has done. It's complicated.
Just a quick follow-up. I am a little uncomfortable with this framing. I certainly acknowledge that my readers hail from different backgrounds and that politically we won't always agree, but I am not sure my references to President Trump split us into such distinct camps.
My comments about Trump should not be read as a reflection of some narrowly-defined commitment to one political party on set of ideas over another. Concerns about Trump and the danger he poses to democracy transcend political party, regardless of whether people are willing to admit it or not.
Many Republicans and conservative commentators were crystal clear about Trump's role in the January 6 insurrection and even the need to hold him responsible. As we all know, however, many of these very same people have chose for various reasons to look beyond that horrific day. I get it.
My hope is that this particular post and the larger message contained about contingency, despite the reference to Trump, will resonate with all readers.
My dearest history teacher, you shouldn’t have to defend or explain yourself. But thank you for taking time to do so.
And thank you for the encouragement to keep breathing. For 40yrs I was a loyal GOP wife. I’m still a loyal wife of 48 yrs, to my beloved magat husband. I can no longer seek comfort from him for the terrible fear I am gripped by. And so I seek comfort from you, and Dr. Joanne Freeman, and Dr. Heather Cox Richardson. And as sweet Dory the Blue Tang said, “Just keep swimming.”
Thanks. I would simply comment, “let the readers decide or interpret for themselves.” I didn’t see this type of “push back” or commentary during the last four years. I understand it’s your platform, etc, I was only hoping for less biased commentary. You put out some good stuff and are very knowledgeable. Thanks for what you do.
I can only write from my own perspective and leave it others to interpret. All I can say is that over the past few years, I've been criticized from people on the Left and Right--more from the former. All the best.
You and Matthew Gabriele both have mentioned contingency in history recently, and it has been most helpful. The words of historians, Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr. (finishing “Why We Can’t Wait” right now, have been getting me through this week.
Thanks for sharing this, Amanda. I will definitely check out Matt's piece and thanks for the kind words.
Re: Frederick Douglas speech, what happened to the school?
And as a Virginian, it broke my heart to learn, from you not in ANY of my Virginia history classes, about the Readjusters. What a missed opportunity, what sorrowful results.
Here is the Wikipedia entry for the school: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manassas_Industrial_School_for_Colored_Youth
This is a most powerful gift to me and others at a time of great chaos. Weaving history with present day circumstances makes history not only important but necessary IF we want democracy (equality, opportunity, respect) for all. I thank you for the theme of contingency and the words of Frederick Douglas.
You are very welcome, Candee. I couldn't be more pleased to hear that you are enjoying my newsletter. Be well.
Just know that not everyone that follows your posts are liberals.
"Just know that not everyone that follows your posts are liberals."
Fair enough. I'm not much of a "liberal" any more myself, and I follow everything Kevin posts.
But it seems important to stipulate that it doesn't take a liberal to see that there's nothing remotely conservative about this historic triple abomination:
* the Monstrous Election Lie,
* the presidentially instigated violent attack on the Capitol, and
* the unleashing of many hundreds of vicious criminals.
Opposition to such grotesque depravity is plainly and unambiguously conservative, even in the hearts of ultraliberals--and even though liberals in general have plenty to answer for, though not on the colossal scale of dread that justifies and affirms Kevin's posting of his thoughts at this fraught moment.
I apologize if I should have just left this alone. Maybe I should've. But the dread is real, valid, and ***not remotely equivalent*** to concern about what "liberals" do.
I appreciate this and I agree with you. As a matter of fact I think it is important to move beyond the binary of liberal v. conservative/Democrat v. Republican when it comes to Trump. He divides Americans in ways that few, if any, previous presidents has done. It's complicated.
I certainly don’t. Thanks for reading, David.
Just a quick follow-up. I am a little uncomfortable with this framing. I certainly acknowledge that my readers hail from different backgrounds and that politically we won't always agree, but I am not sure my references to President Trump split us into such distinct camps.
My comments about Trump should not be read as a reflection of some narrowly-defined commitment to one political party on set of ideas over another. Concerns about Trump and the danger he poses to democracy transcend political party, regardless of whether people are willing to admit it or not.
Many Republicans and conservative commentators were crystal clear about Trump's role in the January 6 insurrection and even the need to hold him responsible. As we all know, however, many of these very same people have chose for various reasons to look beyond that horrific day. I get it.
My hope is that this particular post and the larger message contained about contingency, despite the reference to Trump, will resonate with all readers.
My dearest history teacher, you shouldn’t have to defend or explain yourself. But thank you for taking time to do so.
And thank you for the encouragement to keep breathing. For 40yrs I was a loyal GOP wife. I’m still a loyal wife of 48 yrs, to my beloved magat husband. I can no longer seek comfort from him for the terrible fear I am gripped by. And so I seek comfort from you, and Dr. Joanne Freeman, and Dr. Heather Cox Richardson. And as sweet Dory the Blue Tang said, “Just keep swimming.”
Thank you, Suzanne. I don't mind admitting that I didn't set out to write to bring comfort to people, but I do appreciate that it does.
Thanks. I would simply comment, “let the readers decide or interpret for themselves.” I didn’t see this type of “push back” or commentary during the last four years. I understand it’s your platform, etc, I was only hoping for less biased commentary. You put out some good stuff and are very knowledgeable. Thanks for what you do.
Hi David,
I can only write from my own perspective and leave it others to interpret. All I can say is that over the past few years, I've been criticized from people on the Left and Right--more from the former. All the best.
Thank you for your excellent civil war expertise and content and it is appreciated by many.