This is a timely essay for me. Focus. Focus. Focus. Yesterday, as I watched a furious Michigan hailstorm shred my lettuce and carefully planted tomatoes, my mind could not comprehend all that has changed: the climate, social norms, etc. I felt so helpless and hopeless. I surveyed my ravaged garden. What’s the point in all this work if it all comes to naught? And then I saw my late mother’s lillies standing tall., like my ancestors. I planted again.
Tiya, thank you for your sharing your heart-felt thoughts on our current state of affairs. I’m struggling like you. Sometimes it helps to realize that our country has been here before.
For instance, today is the anniversary (May 22, 1856) of the "Caning of Charles Sumner." You’ve probably heard about this, but for readers who haven’t, Senator Sumner was an abolitionist who was attacked in the Senate chambers by three congressional Representatives; Preston Brooks (SC), Laurence Keitt (SC), and Henry Edmundson (VA). During the attack, Brooks repeatedly struck Sumner's head with the heavy gold top of his cane until Sumner lost consciousness. It took Sumner over three years to recover from his head injuries and return to his place in the Senate. The attack was in retaliation for a fiery speech Sumner had delivered a few days earlier in which he condemned slavery. Some historians feel this event was a major catalyst for the Civil War.
I learned about this event after noticing Senator Sumner's portrait in a photograph of a “protestor” brandishing the Confederate flag inside the Capital building on January 6, 2021. The juxtaposition of Sumner’s image with the Confederate flag made it clear that the violence of the Civil War had not solved our nation's problems. It could be argued that the violence made matters worse and guaranteed that healing would be nearly impossible after the conflict.
Perhaps we’ve arrived at an opportunity to figure out how slavery, and its supporting colonial caste system, could have been peacefully dismantled? It seems like that’s what we’re being called to do — from the Electoral College; to Reparations; to Land Back; to Climate justice … the list is long.
And the man with the Confederate flag? I really wish I knew what he needs to move beyond the memory of that bloody conflict and embrace a vibrant future for all of us. It appears our political system is not where the answer to this question is going to come from. Where else to look?
Thank you for inspiration and guidance....I have postponed 19th century work for a while, in favor of lecturing on Reproductive Rights in Peril...featured in a new book. Feels like shouting into a hailstorm....but we can only do what we can do. You are a shining star...shine on....
Thank you so much for these wise and much-needed insights, Tiya! I remember you speaking to my women's studies class when you were at Dartmouth, and I share your horror at the violent police response called onto the peaceful protests there (and the injury to Annelise Orleck!). Maybe it's naive of me to be so shocked that this was how President Beilock decided to handle it, but I really am. My husband and I will be going to visit Hanover in July (he's never been, and I haven't been back in 15 years) and I'll be keen to see how things are then.
On a brighter note, I'm really excited for Night Flyer and have pre-ordered it! I can't wait :) Huge congratulations!!
Dr Miles,
This is a timely essay for me. Focus. Focus. Focus. Yesterday, as I watched a furious Michigan hailstorm shred my lettuce and carefully planted tomatoes, my mind could not comprehend all that has changed: the climate, social norms, etc. I felt so helpless and hopeless. I surveyed my ravaged garden. What’s the point in all this work if it all comes to naught? And then I saw my late mother’s lillies standing tall., like my ancestors. I planted again.
Tiya, thank you for your sharing your heart-felt thoughts on our current state of affairs. I’m struggling like you. Sometimes it helps to realize that our country has been here before.
For instance, today is the anniversary (May 22, 1856) of the "Caning of Charles Sumner." You’ve probably heard about this, but for readers who haven’t, Senator Sumner was an abolitionist who was attacked in the Senate chambers by three congressional Representatives; Preston Brooks (SC), Laurence Keitt (SC), and Henry Edmundson (VA). During the attack, Brooks repeatedly struck Sumner's head with the heavy gold top of his cane until Sumner lost consciousness. It took Sumner over three years to recover from his head injuries and return to his place in the Senate. The attack was in retaliation for a fiery speech Sumner had delivered a few days earlier in which he condemned slavery. Some historians feel this event was a major catalyst for the Civil War.
I learned about this event after noticing Senator Sumner's portrait in a photograph of a “protestor” brandishing the Confederate flag inside the Capital building on January 6, 2021. The juxtaposition of Sumner’s image with the Confederate flag made it clear that the violence of the Civil War had not solved our nation's problems. It could be argued that the violence made matters worse and guaranteed that healing would be nearly impossible after the conflict.
Perhaps we’ve arrived at an opportunity to figure out how slavery, and its supporting colonial caste system, could have been peacefully dismantled? It seems like that’s what we’re being called to do — from the Electoral College; to Reparations; to Land Back; to Climate justice … the list is long.
And the man with the Confederate flag? I really wish I knew what he needs to move beyond the memory of that bloody conflict and embrace a vibrant future for all of us. It appears our political system is not where the answer to this question is going to come from. Where else to look?
Thank you for inspiration and guidance....I have postponed 19th century work for a while, in favor of lecturing on Reproductive Rights in Peril...featured in a new book. Feels like shouting into a hailstorm....but we can only do what we can do. You are a shining star...shine on....
Thank you so much for these wise and much-needed insights, Tiya! I remember you speaking to my women's studies class when you were at Dartmouth, and I share your horror at the violent police response called onto the peaceful protests there (and the injury to Annelise Orleck!). Maybe it's naive of me to be so shocked that this was how President Beilock decided to handle it, but I really am. My husband and I will be going to visit Hanover in July (he's never been, and I haven't been back in 15 years) and I'll be keen to see how things are then.
On a brighter note, I'm really excited for Night Flyer and have pre-ordered it! I can't wait :) Huge congratulations!!