Humanity and History
As my first year writers draft and wrap up their rhetorical analysis essays (focused on pop culture) I have been discussing, thinking, and writing about the very important ways that books, movies, and television shows can help us be better humans and learn from our (personal and/or collective) history. In fact, some students were so into the conversation we hung around for several minutes after class to dive even deeper into these questions.
Over our recent fall break I enjoyed watching One Battle After Another and what it means to be a parent and the ways that our parents shape who we become. This movie also made me think about revolution and protest and violence on both sides (citizen and government).
I recently finished A Psalm for the Wild-Built and am now reading the sequel A Prayer for the Crown-Shy. Both books explore what it means to be a person, what do people need, and how we find purpose (and do we need it).
I also recently watched Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Season 3, Episode 6 (The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail). I love this reminder that our heroes did not start out as heroes (individually and collectively) and that we can all use friends to talk through life’s challenges. But I also love when Star Trek pushes us to think about how our best impulses as humans can take us to dark places (see also all the previous stories I mentioned). It is always worth reminding ourselves that humans have always been and will always be very flawed.
What stories are making you think about humanity and history?
