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

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

We Remember ... January 20th, 2009

      . . . . What a happy day January 20th, 2009 was.  We watched the pre-and post-inauguration  on great big screens at SOB's with our friends, eating Brasilian food and toasting the couples with champagne.




Tomorrow's inauguration will have our hearts in our mouths again, but for such different reasons, as we fear for them.  But then, a lot of the reasons for heart in mouth are the same.  


Tomorrow, again, we hope, for the first time in so very long.

I never expected I'd write such a thing, but I never dreamed this nation could actually be in such a condition that we'd be celebrating a Restoration, a restoration of centerist, moderate neoliberalism, as a restoration of normalcy.  I think I understand the giddy joy of the English greeting Charles II on his way to the Restoration of the Monarchy.

Also like January 20th, 2009, January 20th, 2021 will be cold too.


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