I saw Lincoln this weekend. I'm not sure how to put into words what I think and feel about that film. But I can pinpoint the thing that moved me most.
I loved it's kindness to history. I mean, sometimes we look at historical figures as names, dates, and lists of accomplishments. We treat Van Gogh or Oliver Cromwell or even Abraham Lincoln like they are playthings--dolls to be analyzed, critiqued, and scrutinized.
But they aren't. They're flesh and blood with people who loved them. They had their own demons, their flaws, their strengths. It's time we thought about that side. I'm not perfect at it yet, but sometimes I like to think about the person behind the list. I imagine their inner hopes and fears. I imagine their voices, their hands as they write the pages of history. What right have I to say I know them completely? I can glimpse their lives, but do no more than that.
And so it is time to be kind to the people we don't even know. We don't have to love their list of accomplishments, but we should remember that they are as real and complex as we are and they deserve our respect.
Allyson, how do I not know about your blog?? I'm excited to do some digging and reading.
ReplyDeleteI loved Lincoln too--and I agree with what you said about it. It did feel very authentic. Daniel Day-Lewis played Lincoln with such softness and grace, which was so refreshing to me.