Excellent article. These grievances are imbedded. It feels sometimes like the Civil War is still going on. Of note is how everyday citizens
who are the soldiers in these conflicts need the symbols to justify why the many died when it is mainly the greedy and selfish and wealthy and economically powerful that cause the conflicts.
Interesting thoughts. If you are born in the north, you learn thet the north won the Civil War. Less than 5 years ago I read online comments or articles written by a group of southern confederate women touting their ancestors' glory. And, of course, the whole issue with monuments of the Conferates. Now the "war" is fought today through politics and religion threatening our nation. What is the answer to the " long game"that the defeated take? How can the " conquerors" help the defeated overcome their humiliation so life can move on for all?
So much truth here and well written. How WWI begat WWII yet WWII and the Marshall Plan brought us a time of relative peace and prosperity. “The evil men do lives after them while the good is oft interred with their bones.” Why can’t we learn form these examples?
Thank you. Beautifully written. I appreciate the refreshing depth, the dot-connecting, and returning full-circle to the beginning. Did I say this is well written? History sorely is missing in news reports. Unfortunateley, as generally taught in the U.S., history is presented at such a shallow level, without context, and with a short lens. The long-view "why" is crucial for understanding how and why we're where we are. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Did I thank you?
Thanks, Aaron! As the Front Page often does, you pushed one of my buttons. Your "monumental" essay brought to mind the Westward Ho (or Start Westward) monument in Marietta, Ohio. We lived in Marietta for more than twenty-five years. Our kids, who are now in their 60's, consider it to be their hometown.
Marietta is the oldest permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, settled in 1788, established by the Continental Congress in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The designated territory included what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. The Ordinance permanently prohibited slavery in the territory; guaranteed certain civil liberties (two years before the Bill of Rights), including freedom of religion; and mandated the support of public education.
On the 150th Anniversary of the Northwest Ordinance and the settlement of Marietta, the Westward Ho monument was dedicated on July 8, 1938, by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum (creator of Mt. Rushmore), the monument depicts three pioneers (two men and a woman) standing on a rock near a rowboat, and was constructed of local sandstone as a WPA project. Borglum did not attend the dedication because he insisted the monument be of lasting bronze rather than the inferior sandstone, which would erode over time.
Borglum was right! Over the years the monument has begun to erode. It is now under a protective cover, until it is replaced by a copy and moved to an indoor location. Presently, the restoration has been shrouded in controversy, because some locals believe the new monument should be in the original sandstone, and others in bronze.
I would set forth a third option. I know of a guy living in the nation's capital who would perhaps be happy to cover the original with a thin veneer of gold, at taxpayers' expense, for a few million dollars.
One final observation. Somewhat humorous. The locals would point this out. The Westward Ho (Start Westward) monument is facing East. With the replacement of the original monument there could be a renaming. Instead of Westward Ho it could be renamed Backward Go. Or, instead of Start Westward, Turn Backward.
This would then give recognition to those in our nation who would turn back the clock on the human rights and civil freedoms that it has taken more than 250 years to secure. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could be a reminder that history moves forward not backward, and that those who would rewrite our nation's history are moving in the wrong direction!
Yet Trump has no actual grievance. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and by the standards of most people he’s got nothing to complain about. It’s either all in his head, or he was crafty enough to know it was the bait that would hook so many people who truly did have grievances. I’m not sure which came first. But he wouldn’t have been able to ruin America they way he has (aided and abetted by the billionaires who want everything for themselves and by the Republicans in Congress who roll over and pee on themselves like submissive puppies) unless there was actual hurt going on. For so many years the ordinary folk felt like they were getting left behind, and for many it was true. Fertile ground indeed for the politics of grievance and restoration.
The Democrats of years past were complicit in that hurt, many only giving lip service to helping the middle class and poor, while stuffing their pockets and making deals that benefitted their donors, not their constituents. I feel like one big turning point was when Obama ran and won on universal healthcare, and as soon as he was in the White House, with both a Democratic House and Senate, they started giving ground. Obamacare was better than nothing, but it wasn’t what was promised. Then when Bernie Sanders was filling stadiums and engaging young voters and giving people actual hope of having a champion in the White House, the Democrats made sure it was Hilary Clinton, not Bernie who would be the nominee. People felt their ability to choose was taken away. Many people, myself included, felt she was just more of the same old, same old. To be sure, I voted for her because Trump was, is, and always will be an abomination. But I can see how Trump got the grievance vote, the f—k you vote, the I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore vote.
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Only Tricky Dick Nixon has wrapped himself in the trapping of power of the office like “ the orange guy.
Excellent article. These grievances are imbedded. It feels sometimes like the Civil War is still going on. Of note is how everyday citizens
who are the soldiers in these conflicts need the symbols to justify why the many died when it is mainly the greedy and selfish and wealthy and economically powerful that cause the conflicts.
The same guilty parties that are causing the current conflicts!
Interesting thoughts. If you are born in the north, you learn thet the north won the Civil War. Less than 5 years ago I read online comments or articles written by a group of southern confederate women touting their ancestors' glory. And, of course, the whole issue with monuments of the Conferates. Now the "war" is fought today through politics and religion threatening our nation. What is the answer to the " long game"that the defeated take? How can the " conquerors" help the defeated overcome their humiliation so life can move on for all?
Spectacular tapestry, beautiful writing, wonderful story that leaves so much remaining. Thank you.
Where have all the flowers gone ?
Connecting the dots of history is a never ending process. Thanks Aaron for your work in helping this along.
So much truth here and well written. How WWI begat WWII yet WWII and the Marshall Plan brought us a time of relative peace and prosperity. “The evil men do lives after them while the good is oft interred with their bones.” Why can’t we learn form these examples?
...thank you for the history lesson[s] / very interesting / While down there, did you visit Machu Picchu?...
“Perhaps the most powerful intoxicant is neither opium nor fentanyl but grievance itself.”
Brilliant.
Amazing - thank you.
Many emotions rise from reading this wonderfully written piece.
Why can't human beings be better than they are?
We've come a long way, but have we??
Thank you. Beautifully written. I appreciate the refreshing depth, the dot-connecting, and returning full-circle to the beginning. Did I say this is well written? History sorely is missing in news reports. Unfortunateley, as generally taught in the U.S., history is presented at such a shallow level, without context, and with a short lens. The long-view "why" is crucial for understanding how and why we're where we are. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Did I thank you?
Thanks, Aaron! As the Front Page often does, you pushed one of my buttons. Your "monumental" essay brought to mind the Westward Ho (or Start Westward) monument in Marietta, Ohio. We lived in Marietta for more than twenty-five years. Our kids, who are now in their 60's, consider it to be their hometown.
Marietta is the oldest permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, settled in 1788, established by the Continental Congress in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The designated territory included what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. The Ordinance permanently prohibited slavery in the territory; guaranteed certain civil liberties (two years before the Bill of Rights), including freedom of religion; and mandated the support of public education.
On the 150th Anniversary of the Northwest Ordinance and the settlement of Marietta, the Westward Ho monument was dedicated on July 8, 1938, by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum (creator of Mt. Rushmore), the monument depicts three pioneers (two men and a woman) standing on a rock near a rowboat, and was constructed of local sandstone as a WPA project. Borglum did not attend the dedication because he insisted the monument be of lasting bronze rather than the inferior sandstone, which would erode over time.
Borglum was right! Over the years the monument has begun to erode. It is now under a protective cover, until it is replaced by a copy and moved to an indoor location. Presently, the restoration has been shrouded in controversy, because some locals believe the new monument should be in the original sandstone, and others in bronze.
I would set forth a third option. I know of a guy living in the nation's capital who would perhaps be happy to cover the original with a thin veneer of gold, at taxpayers' expense, for a few million dollars.
One final observation. Somewhat humorous. The locals would point this out. The Westward Ho (Start Westward) monument is facing East. With the replacement of the original monument there could be a renaming. Instead of Westward Ho it could be renamed Backward Go. Or, instead of Start Westward, Turn Backward.
This would then give recognition to those in our nation who would turn back the clock on the human rights and civil freedoms that it has taken more than 250 years to secure. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could be a reminder that history moves forward not backward, and that those who would rewrite our nation's history are moving in the wrong direction!
Yet Trump has no actual grievance. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and by the standards of most people he’s got nothing to complain about. It’s either all in his head, or he was crafty enough to know it was the bait that would hook so many people who truly did have grievances. I’m not sure which came first. But he wouldn’t have been able to ruin America they way he has (aided and abetted by the billionaires who want everything for themselves and by the Republicans in Congress who roll over and pee on themselves like submissive puppies) unless there was actual hurt going on. For so many years the ordinary folk felt like they were getting left behind, and for many it was true. Fertile ground indeed for the politics of grievance and restoration.
The Democrats of years past were complicit in that hurt, many only giving lip service to helping the middle class and poor, while stuffing their pockets and making deals that benefitted their donors, not their constituents. I feel like one big turning point was when Obama ran and won on universal healthcare, and as soon as he was in the White House, with both a Democratic House and Senate, they started giving ground. Obamacare was better than nothing, but it wasn’t what was promised. Then when Bernie Sanders was filling stadiums and engaging young voters and giving people actual hope of having a champion in the White House, the Democrats made sure it was Hilary Clinton, not Bernie who would be the nominee. People felt their ability to choose was taken away. Many people, myself included, felt she was just more of the same old, same old. To be sure, I voted for her because Trump was, is, and always will be an abomination. But I can see how Trump got the grievance vote, the f—k you vote, the I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore vote.