I thought the host’s point that viewing history as progress is subjective was really important. While it might look like we are moving forward for some, the oppressed can easily argue the opposite. The host also declares that the way we tell history is a choice. I thought that was also an important distinction to make: history isn’t entirely factual, and I for one tend to forget that. I think our readings about whether or not Charles I deserved to be executed emphasize this fact. History says that Charles I was executed because he was a terrible leader and everyone hated him, but in reality he was supported by all but Cromwell and his followers.
The podcast also talked about how we should look at women who were able to break through history, but remember that those women were only able to do so because most were privileged, and white. They had the means to do what men could do. It is a step in the right direction to admire these women, but we also need to consider the disenfranchised and non-elite women who should have made history as well.
I agree that it is amazing we have historical female figures to celebrate, especially in science. But when we look closer and realize that these female figures are still mostly white and hold a certain amount of privilege, it is clear we still have a long way to go. Gender representation is just one boundary in the telling of history.
I agree that it is important to note that how we tell history is a choice. It isn’t inevitable that the main stories of history are those of powerful men, but choices that were made about whose voices were important.
I thought it was really interesting when they posed the questions of what is progress and what counts as progress? I think you are totally right in saying that progress looks different for different people. The podcast also touched on intersectionality, which we have discussed a little in class. Intersectionality just makes this issue more complicated because there are women that are treated differently than other women
I completely agree with you in that how history has been and will be told is a choice. The history we learn now has been chosen carefully to depict white men as great men, with minority groups, like women and people of color, especially women of color, as non-contributors. In order to change this, I agree that we need to recognize all people who have contributed or helped in history.
I also agree on how history is being taught by choice. What else are we not being taught? It makes me wonder how much we really don’t know.
I agree with your statements! It’s so important to “give credit where it’s due” and learning history is a time where we constantly fail at doing that.