It’s so interesting to think about why and how to learn history. There’s so much of it, and so many angles to take. My attention and focus change dramatically over time based on what I’m doing and studying otherwise. I too am feeling the ramp up to the 250th. I remember 1976. The 4th felt different this year. With the ebb of globalism and retreat back into nationalism history is going to foster some new takes on American identity. That’s my prediction. Better history than race, gender, class! At least we have a chance to assess the past and decide what to identify with or not, claim for the present and future or not. Will we make good assessments? Good judgements (as Arendt would say)? I don’t know.
It’s so interesting to think about why and how to learn history. There’s so much of it, and so many angles to take. My attention and focus change dramatically over time based on what I’m doing and studying otherwise. I too am feeling the ramp up to the 250th. I remember 1976. The 4th felt different this year. With the ebb of globalism and retreat back into nationalism history is going to foster some new takes on American identity. That’s my prediction. Better history than race, gender, class! At least we have a chance to assess the past and decide what to identify with or not, claim for the present and future or not. Will we make good assessments? Good judgements (as Arendt would say)? I don’t know.