LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Road to Disunion

This is a daily NY Times blog-column that tracks the events leading to secession from the election of Lincoln as the new Republican party's POTUS, according to the current monthly calender, but in 1860. There are regular columnists, such as the current Director of the Center and the first Director of the Center, as well as others. (V will be doing at least one along the line).


Finally we get a woman writing, Susan Schulten; while most of the columns are first rate (with an occasional dud such as the one written by a rightwinger, which was ignorant and a-historical to boot), this one in particular is special, with information and a perspective (reading art historically) that are new to me, at least. Since it is about maps some of you might find it as fascinating as I have.

Disunion blog-column, "Visualizing Slavery," here (it's also just about the only reason to bother clicking on the NY Times op-ed section).

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