Who writes history? A brief description about the politics of history, and where you may fit into the grand narrative of history

Let’s discuss history… A form of story telling created by humans Reflects cultural, social, economic conditions A complex story that can illuminate or obscure, even obliterate events Everyday decisions are made in the vortex of competing demands Life is a dynamic, conflict ridden, happy series of events Power is a force that can be wielded for a wide range of purposes

Let’s discuss power … Enact or rescind laws of the land Protect (or harm) classes of living beings Issue (or deny) authority Compel people into action Confer legitimacy Make decisions that effect people’s daily lives

How might we define leadership? Communicate ideas Articulate a vision Organize individuals and groups Identify problems and offer strategies Understand the complex qualities that comprise the human condition and Utilize that understanding to bring people together

Knowledge is a form of power Acquisition of letters Ability to question Opportunity to frame Capacity for debate / argumentation Comfort in one’s information base Desire to advance human well-being Passion for learning Provide a foundation for future inquiry Contribute to the legacy of democratic intellectual action

The importance of POV … Understanding a writer’s / researcher’s / teacher’s Point of View is critical to ascertaining its veracity / accuracy / relevance Identifying the circumstances that inform a historian’s POV enables readers to understand how particular emphases have evolved in the history being told Looking at our POV as readers permits us to understand the values / interests / importance that we place on certain stories and subjects

Consider these ideas … Historians have a social responsibility Create works that are useful in solving contemporary social issues Provide a framework for understanding linkages to the past Illuminate positive and negative outcomes of the past Offer alternative and/or new approaches to understanding current conditions Historical evidence is the basis for informed decision making

Ponder this … Why is history telling useful? Can or should historians be “objective”? Is it possible for us to create history that speaks to a wide range of events, processes, and subjects?