An internecine controversy among historians spilled out into the broader public conversation. A term called "presentism" started trending on Twitter after the president of the American Historical Association, Dr. James Sweet, wrote an article asking if there was too much focus from historians on "contemporary social justice issues—race, gender, sexuality, nationalism, capitalism..."
I speak with Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley, who has his PhD in religious historical studies, to help explain what presentism is, why it is so controversial, and how Black studies takes a different approach.
Links:
"Is History History?" by Dr. James Sweet
I Am a Historian: On Presentism by Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley
Read more of Jemar's work at his newsletter: JemarTisby.Substack.com
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