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cover of episode History, memories, and the stories we tell ourselves (w/ Clint Smith)

History, memories, and the stories we tell ourselves (w/ Clint Smith)

2025/4/7
logo of podcast How to Be a Better Human

How to Be a Better Human
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克
克林特·史密斯
克
克里斯·达菲
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克里斯·达菲：我认为克林特·史密斯对历史、诚实和与自身及世界和解的意义的谈话非常有价值。他多年来一直致力于调查历史、公平、正义以及我们愿意或不愿意听到的真相。 克林特·史密斯：我从小在新奥尔良长大，对家乡与奴隶制历史的联系知之甚少。直到2017年罗伯特·E·李雕像被拆除后，我才开始深入研究奴隶制记忆及其影响。美国正处于一个转折点，人们更愿意全面处理奴隶制的遗产及其对当今世界的影响。 在《如何传递信息》一书中，我探讨了历史、记忆和怀旧之间的区别。历史是发生的事情，怀旧是我们希望发生的事情的故事，而记忆介于两者之间，它融合了我们从周围人、家人和信息生态系统中听到的故事，既有事实也有虚构。 诚实至关重要，尤其是在历史背景下，因为如果不诚实对待历史，我们就无法理解当今世界为何如此。我写作《如何传递信息》的动力之一就是为了纠正我童年时期对非裔美国人困境的错误理解，并揭示种族不平等的根源在于奴隶制。 在向孩子们讲述奴隶制的残酷和持续存在的社会不公正时，要诚实地讲述历史，但也要避免只关注负面经历，还要展现黑人生活的丰富性和快乐，这样才能帮助孩子们理解不平等的根源，并对未来有希望。 我写作这本书是为了填补我高中美国历史课上知识的空白，并让学生们为之骄傲，这本书能帮助人们理解不平等的根源，并认识到个人并非完全对其处境负责。 我们需要直面美国历史中的复杂性和矛盾，既要认识到美国的光辉成就，也要承认其可耻之处，这并不意味着我们必须停留在这种状态中，而是要努力改进。 作为人，我们都是矛盾的集合，我们应该接受这种不一致性，并努力成为更好的自己。诗歌是我的文学北极星，它指导和激发我所有的写作，无论我写的是诗歌、非虚构作品还是历史作品。诗歌帮助我关注那些我可能忽略的事情。 为人父母是一项既美好又艰难的经历，它既有令人惊叹的时刻，也有令人精疲力尽的时刻，这反映了人类的复杂性。人们有时会试图掩盖生活中的负面方面，只展现积极的一面，这与人们不愿直面历史的全部真相类似，这可能与美国文化中渴望展现完美形象有关，但这种情况正在发生变化。 我们需要既感谢过去为我们争取自由的人们，也要努力为未来建设更美好的世界。我们对历史的理解和处理方式因人而异，我们需要理解不同观点背后的原因，才能避免彼此误解。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Clint Smith discusses the interplay between history, memory, and nostalgia, highlighting the importance of honesty in understanding the past. He shares personal experiences growing up in New Orleans, emphasizing the need to teach the full story of Black history, including both joy and pain, to empower young people. The conversation touches upon the complexities of American history and the cognitive dissonance of a nation that has simultaneously offered immense opportunities and perpetuated systemic oppression.
  • Importance of honesty in confronting historical narratives and personal memories
  • The impact of historical context on understanding present-day inequalities
  • The need for a balanced portrayal of Black history, including both joyful and painful aspects
  • The cognitive dissonance of American history: opportunities alongside oppression

Shownotes Transcript

How do you grapple with national history, legacy, and the stories you tell yourself? Clint Smith is the author of the narrative nonfiction, How the Word is Passed, and the poetry collection, Above Ground. Clint joins Chris to talk about the cognitive dissonances that shaped American history. From understanding the complexities of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote “all men are created equal” while enslaving over 600 people – to reflecting on growing up in New Orleans – a major site for domestic slave trades, Clint urges you to examine historical contradictions. He also discusses his love for poetry and why it’s crucial to teach joyous moments in Black history too. So students won’t see slavery and Jim Crow as the totality of the black historical experience but can envision themselves of possibilities beyond subjugation.

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Host: Chris Duffy (@chrisiduffy) | chrisduffycomedy.com))

Guest: Clint Smith (Instagram: @clintsmithiii) | clintsmithiii.com)) 

Links

Above Ground)

How the Word Is Passed)

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