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Midweek Question: How will history judge this moment?

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Midweek Question: How will history judge this moment?

Feb 10, 2021
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Midweek Question: How will history judge this moment?

steady.substack.com

So it’s our second Midweek Question. We are thinking of making this a regular feature on Steady, where we create a springboard for conversation. The hope is to hear from you, and more importantly, for you to hear from each other.

This week, the news is being dominated by the impeachment trial (the sequel) of Donald J. Trump. Much of the coverage is naturally about this moment in time. Is acquittal pre-ordained? What will it mean for the electoral prospects in 2022? Will it derail, or at least delay, President Biden’s legislative agenda?

While these are all valid questions, I am interested in exploring what we call in television the “wide shot.” And here the framing is one of history. How will history judge this moment? What will be considered important and what will fall into the footnotes? I know a lot depends on what happens in the future, and is thus unknowable. But if you were to write the intro to this chapter of American history for whatever serves as the equivalent of a textbook in 2121, what would you write?

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Some ground rules for these Wednesday chats (and also the comments sections on other posts):

  • I want a space where people feel safe to express their views, as long as they are offered in good faith.

  • I want a space where ideas can be challenged, especially my own.

  • I want debate. But I want it to be civil.

  • I want people to come here with open minds, and open hearts.

  • I want this to be fun as well as serious.

We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.

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