This election should not surprise anyone who teaches history. I teach medieval and early modern history at several unis in London.
The study of history in these eras shows us very clearly that Western society is built for white male protestant property owners.
This same society has been built over the bodies of black and brown people, and kept whites without property deliberately marginalised. Within it, the role of women has always been to be scapegoats for the worst of male excess, and vessels for sexual gratification/the getting of heirs.
You should not, therefore, be surprised to see a misogynist racist ruling what has always been a white supremacist society.
As historians, it is our job to show our students the roots of this society – SHOW them the thought processes that have built our world.
Continue reading “On the American election, teaching history, and why it matters”
Going Medieval 