The Real Problem with Historians and "Presentism"
Are historians losing their craft by focusing on "identity politics", or is the concern misplaced?
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An internecine controversy among historians recently spilled out into the broader public conversation.
A term called "presentism" started trending on Twitter after the president of the American Historical Association, Dr. James Sweet, wrote an article asking if there was too much focus from historians on "contemporary social justice issues—race, gender, sexuality, nationalism, capitalism..."
In this video, I speak with Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley, who has his PhD in religious historical studies, to help explain what presentism is, why it is so controversial, and how Black studies takes a different approach.
You can also listen to the audio on my FOOTNOTES podcast. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll know as soon as a new episode drops!
No Place of Grace: Antimodernism and Transformation of American Culture, 1880-1920 by T.J. Jackson Lears, 1981. Gave me some insight into the development of consumer capitalism and the drive for therapeutic activities of all sorts.
Thanks for this discussion. I recommend your perusal of a newly published history by Steven L. Dundas. MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY: RELIGION AND THE POLITICS OF RACE IN THE CIVIL WAR ERA AND BEYOND.