Two very different views indeed. Sadly, the extremely hateful, vile, and bile-spewing sentiments gain extra traction when they come from the small foul man who occupies the Oval Office!
“I’ve always believed that studying history and finding ways to engage with it at historic sites can foster empathy and sympathy for others, both in the past and present. It can expand our horizons by reminding us that we are not the centers of the universe and that we have much in common with individuals and groups whose stories are very different from our own.”
Thank you for the reminder that the current regime (I can no longer call it an "administration") does not truly reflect the mass of Americans right now. Every day is an embarrassment. But stories like the one you shared restore my faith that we can pull back from where DJT is trying to take us.
How anyone can vote for someone who STOLE from a charity is beyond me, let alone the things he has done and said. But you are correct in focusing on the good- those who clean stones of black civil war soldiers, those who are giving to shelters, pantries and angel trees and those who stand up for what's right and out the wrong. Reading history is keeping me sane!
The better-angels contrast came to mind this morning when I read a book review in the WSJ by someone who has contributed to this forum, Fergus M. Bordewich: "‘Cassius Marcellus Clay’ Review: The Slaveholder Against Slavery: Cassius Marcellus Clay’s outspoken abolitionism put his life at constant risk. He traveled with pistols and a Bowie knife."
The review opens this way: "Cassius Marcellus Clay was long remembered by local black families as a fierce antislavery champion, even though, paradoxically, he continued to own slaves and freed almost none until he was compelled to do so by the 13th Amendment."
"Unlike Northern abolitionists, who opposed slavery purely on moral or religious grounds," Mr. Bordewich writes, "Clay focused on the effect that slavery had on white working men, who were forced into a losing competition with slaves."
The review concludes with this paragraph: "Clay fits none of our conventional templates for characterizing the men and women who opposed slavery. Few other political leaders of his era risked their lives as frequently in the struggle to bring it to an end. Understanding Clay, Ms. Marshall writes, 'requires acknowledging that people could be on the so-called right side of history for reasons that seem not particularly admirable to us today.' His story is a reminder that history written without an appreciation for human contradictions is likely to be bad history."
It reminds me of what Annette Gordon-Reed, the Hemings-paternity scholar, says about national memory of Jefferson: If a historic figure contributed positively, on balance, to making a more perfect union, then don't tear down his (or, presumably, her) monuments. The better-angels biz can be complicated.
Friends of mine live close to a D-Day cemetery in Europe. They take part in an organized event to clean the gravestones and ensure the lettering is leigble every year.
Other friends in Europe are organizing events to clean and polish the "stumble stones" in their towns/cities. The stumble stones are small brass memorials to people victimized, imprisoned, deported and/or murdered by the Nazis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolperstein). Each is set into the pavement outside the building where the person concerned had lived. I led a tour around some of the stumble stones in the city where I live, starting at the Orthodox synagogue and including the church where its Torah scrolls were hidden until 1945, and finishing at the Jewish Museum.
Speaking of black civil war soldiers, I just finished the biography of Higginson you profiled on this site. An impressive leader of black soldiers. I found his exchanges with Gould Shaw to be interesting, revealing, and nuanced.
It's a fantastic book. I think Higginson was less than impressed with Shaw, especially in response to the latter's claim that you may need white soldiers to follow Black men into battle to ensure they don't flee.
Here’s contact info for Kwame Alexander, Director of Literary Arts. Last year he had Jonathan Eig (King, A Life) and other great authors. I think he would be very interested in your work!
Thanks for this - These are difficult times. Remembering the sacrifice of those brave soldiers and the efforts of the students to honor their memory is a source of inspiration and strength.
Two very different views indeed. Sadly, the extremely hateful, vile, and bile-spewing sentiments gain extra traction when they come from the small foul man who occupies the Oval Office!
They do indeed. Thanks for reading, Patrick.
I’m Bob Beatty and I approve this message:
“I’ve always believed that studying history and finding ways to engage with it at historic sites can foster empathy and sympathy for others, both in the past and present. It can expand our horizons by reminding us that we are not the centers of the universe and that we have much in common with individuals and groups whose stories are very different from our own.”
Thank you for the reminder that the current regime (I can no longer call it an "administration") does not truly reflect the mass of Americans right now. Every day is an embarrassment. But stories like the one you shared restore my faith that we can pull back from where DJT is trying to take us.
You are very welcome, Deborah. Thanks for reading.
How anyone can vote for someone who STOLE from a charity is beyond me, let alone the things he has done and said. But you are correct in focusing on the good- those who clean stones of black civil war soldiers, those who are giving to shelters, pantries and angel trees and those who stand up for what's right and out the wrong. Reading history is keeping me sane!
"Reading history is keeping me sane!" Music to my ears.
The better-angels contrast came to mind this morning when I read a book review in the WSJ by someone who has contributed to this forum, Fergus M. Bordewich: "‘Cassius Marcellus Clay’ Review: The Slaveholder Against Slavery: Cassius Marcellus Clay’s outspoken abolitionism put his life at constant risk. He traveled with pistols and a Bowie knife."
The review opens this way: "Cassius Marcellus Clay was long remembered by local black families as a fierce antislavery champion, even though, paradoxically, he continued to own slaves and freed almost none until he was compelled to do so by the 13th Amendment."
"Unlike Northern abolitionists, who opposed slavery purely on moral or religious grounds," Mr. Bordewich writes, "Clay focused on the effect that slavery had on white working men, who were forced into a losing competition with slaves."
The review concludes with this paragraph: "Clay fits none of our conventional templates for characterizing the men and women who opposed slavery. Few other political leaders of his era risked their lives as frequently in the struggle to bring it to an end. Understanding Clay, Ms. Marshall writes, 'requires acknowledging that people could be on the so-called right side of history for reasons that seem not particularly admirable to us today.' His story is a reminder that history written without an appreciation for human contradictions is likely to be bad history."
It reminds me of what Annette Gordon-Reed, the Hemings-paternity scholar, says about national memory of Jefferson: If a historic figure contributed positively, on balance, to making a more perfect union, then don't tear down his (or, presumably, her) monuments. The better-angels biz can be complicated.
Gift link for the Bordewich WSJ book review: https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/cassius-marcellus-clay-review-the-slaveholder-against-slavery-b1dcc50d?st=DzVMPT&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Friends of mine live close to a D-Day cemetery in Europe. They take part in an organized event to clean the gravestones and ensure the lettering is leigble every year.
Other friends in Europe are organizing events to clean and polish the "stumble stones" in their towns/cities. The stumble stones are small brass memorials to people victimized, imprisoned, deported and/or murdered by the Nazis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolperstein). Each is set into the pavement outside the building where the person concerned had lived. I led a tour around some of the stumble stones in the city where I live, starting at the Orthodox synagogue and including the church where its Torah scrolls were hidden until 1945, and finishing at the Jewish Museum.
The USA is a very puzzling collection of people when viewed from the outside (in my case, from Canada).
Some seem no better than schoolyard bullies, exploiting their power seemingly simply because it’s fun to bully.
Others are saints.
And the two seem to be in constant competition for the soul of the country.
When you read Lincoln’s second inaugural address, you can see what is best about your country.
When you hear things said by Trump and his cabinet, you hear the worst.
We can only hope that the ‘better angels’ win, or the USA will become what Russia currently is.
Thanks for adding your perspective, Chris. Well said.
The Trump exec office photo in your article is telling: No person of color. This is a regular feature of Trumplandia.
What do you mean no person of color?
Orange is a color.
and the fawning sycophants, obediently laughing.
Lovely story. Thank you!
You bet. Thanks, Margaret.
Speaking of black civil war soldiers, I just finished the biography of Higginson you profiled on this site. An impressive leader of black soldiers. I found his exchanges with Gould Shaw to be interesting, revealing, and nuanced.
It's a fantastic book. I think Higginson was less than impressed with Shaw, especially in response to the latter's claim that you may need white soldiers to follow Black men into battle to ensure they don't flee.
And the fact that Higginson was also less than impressed with Lincoln may have reflected his impossibly high standards when it came to reform.
Interestingly, Higginson was married to his second wife less than a mile from my home in West Newton!
Susie King-Taylor, escaped slave who served as nurse with Higginsons troops, mention him a few times.
Absolutely. Higginson walked the walk in a way that Shaw could never understand.
Do you know which cemetery it was?
Westville Cemetery.
Thanks
Thank you for continuing to provide perspective, hope and an antidote to the rage bait. Truth is mandatory, but the soul needs hope!
You are very welcome, Jane. Thanks for reading.
Hope to see you at Chautauqua next summer. It would be perfect timing with your book release!
Which Chautauqua event are you referencing? My husband did a presentation there last year on his art and climate project. It was our first time there!
The Summer Session.
Yes, I thought you meant a particular week devoted to history. I see there's one on America at 250.
I would love to speak at that event. Unfortunately, I don't have any contacts there.
Here’s contact info for Kwame Alexander, Director of Literary Arts. Last year he had Jonathan Eig (King, A Life) and other great authors. I think he would be very interested in your work!
https://www.chq.org/about/staff/kwame-alexander/
Thank you.
Thanks for this - These are difficult times. Remembering the sacrifice of those brave soldiers and the efforts of the students to honor their memory is a source of inspiration and strength.
That reminds that in the town that I live in (New Jersey) there are graves of some Civil War soldiers, which I should seek out and do the same.
As an aside he makes the Know Nothings look good.
I am heading home to NJ tomorrow and was planning to spend some time at a small cemetery that contains roughly 10 graves of Black Civil War soldiers.
Thank you. I needed that
You are very welcome.