Just a quick question...
Banned Histories of Race in America
Just a quick question this week:
Have you ever read something that seemed a little more recent than it should be?
Every once in a while, I read something from far too long ago to feel as relevant as it does now. For example, here’s a quote from a 1956 essay by an 88-year-old W. E. B. Du Bois on the idea of voting for the “lesser of two evils”:
“I believe that democracy has so far disappeared in the United States that no ‘two evils’ exist. There is but one evil party with two names, and it will be elected despite all I can do or say.”
The essay itself isn’t as cynical is that quote alone might lead you to believe. On top of being a heartfelt and historical analysis, the essay is about, as he says himself, “dogged hope.” There’re also some eerie historical rhymes in there about Russia and the publicly failing health of politicians.
Regardless of your own feelings about one party or the other, it’s pretty wild to see how long that “two evils” argument has been kicking around. Not to mention how long it’s been criticized.
So, back to my question.
Have you ever read something that seemed a little more recent than it should be?
I just read Baldwin's Evidence of Things Not Seen. His descriptions of White Supremacy seeping into everything, known and unknowable, is chillingly prescient. Like nothing has changed, but how could it when power never changed hands. 🤯
Scenes in books set in the 50s, where butch lesbians are harassed for being in the wrong restroom, and queer Femmes are told they’re in the wrong place at the dyke bar.