1/ I've been off Twitter for most of the day, and dipping back in, I'm struck by what a strange, fascinating, revealing, and timely July Fourth weekend we're having.
There was the Rushmore rant, with a warped version of history being used as a political weapon.
There was the Rushmore rant, with a warped version of history being used as a political weapon.
2/ There's the start of #HamiltonFilm streaming, and the many ways that it encourages people to ponder, rethink, and wrestle with history, what it is, how it changes, how we explore it, who is recognized and included within it, and why it matters.
3/ And there's the actual reason for the weekend & the person at the center of it -- Thomas Jefferson -- who is having a historical reckoning of his own bound up with race and rights and inclusion and exclusion and the meaning of American history -- with or without July Fourth.
4/ Race & rights have been at the center of US history as long as it has existed--for many reasons. And politicians have long turned to the US Founding as political fodder, often in warped ways.
Jefferson's reputation has long been bound up with that discussion, for good reason.
Jefferson's reputation has long been bound up with that discussion, for good reason.
5/ But the combination of passions, politics, pending events, & past events that's blending this year is powerful & remarkably revealing. Among other things, it's a reminder of how much the current moment matters, & how much meaningful change may be possible....
6/ That same remarkable combination of passions, politics, pending events, & past events is a reminder of how much we need to protect & defend the democratic electoral process at the heart of our system of government. Democracy may survive or fall with its survival or corruption.
7/ Earlier this week I discussed how current events are changing my views about things I've long discussed as a historian--or at least, changing how I teach & discuss them.
Thursday AM I talked about #Hamilton's views on political corruption--& had to pause to catch my breath.
Thursday AM I talked about #Hamilton's views on political corruption--& had to pause to catch my breath.
8/ Our understanding of US history & its repercussions has rarely if ever been more immediately and undeniably important.
For in truth, the possibility of positive change is bound up with our understanding of ourselves as a nation, as is the possibility of democratic downfall.
For in truth, the possibility of positive change is bound up with our understanding of ourselves as a nation, as is the possibility of democratic downfall.
