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, September 16, 2011

The Joys of A Bookish Life

You know that sudden expansion of everything that happens sometimes when entirely new dimensions open up in an area you know pretty well?  It's like the room in which you are working just got larger, more airy, more filled with sunshine.  Your body feels correspondingly lighter, your heart feels lighter and your mind feels bigger.

I am having a week of this, thanks to Theodore Roosevelt, Owen Wister and Frederic Remington. 

1 comment:

T. said...

These are indeed marvelous and astounding moments. Lucky you to to be in the midst! xo