The Not So Terribly Awful Man Theory of History

And a Happy Presidents' Day to you!

When I was in seventh and eighth grades, I studied history with Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, a married couple of social studies teachers at the gifted and talented magnet public school I went to in Raleigh, North Carolina. The magnet thing was a way to desegregate by luring the white kids to be bussed close to an hour into the city to go to a special school that had high quality academics and an amazing arts program. I became an Assistant Stage Manager at twelve, which influenced the entire course of my life though not in ways that are so obvious now. And I loved history.

Mrs. Brooks taught us about our rights. She taught us not to let the police into our homes or cars without a warrant, and never to talk to the police without an attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks also taught us about primary sources. We learned to read them in middle school, and to identify primary vs. secondary sources. We went to real libraries! We read original Civil War letters and diaries.

I remember that they taught us that the Great Man theory of history was largely out of fashion. We learned a lot of economic explanations for world events, including the Civil War. We also learned the other names it had been called by in the South, including “The War of Northern Aggression” and my favorite, “The Recent Unpleasantness.”

I became a student and later teacher of history, and I never got over the fantasy of two social studies teachers in love, though I have not yet managed to live it.

As I was reading the blogs I read today, I noted that no one I read commented on Presidents’ Day. Mostly it was still about Trump. I guess we could say that the “Really Bad Terrible Awful Man” theory of history is alive and well on Substack.

Over lunch, I wondered aloud to another human who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent what would happen if the Democrats got their act together and produced new leaders who were not too terribly awful.

Can the Democrats rescue themselves from… themselves?

My friend Annie over at The Big Nope wrote a post called “We Won’t Go Back” that I rather liked. We do not agree on everything - the only being with whom I agree on everything is my cat, and that’s because I just do everything she wants - but I like the way Annie puts things. A bit like the Cheshire cat. I think she would say no, the Democrats can not.

While I naturally recoil from the Great Man (or Great Person) view of history, I do find myself thinking that a leader who is simultaneously able to inspire, lead, and think is desperately needed. I’m looking at a picture of a young friend of mine who I believe in tremendously… more than he believes in himself, actually, a subject of the occasional spat and tons of Game of Thrones quotes. I actually know an honorable young man who stands up for country, family and duty. Could he ever get elected? Can good people run for office and win? His family’s holiday card sure is convincing, though I was annoyed that the family cat is not pictured. He has a gorgeous giant orange rescue tabby who loves the dog, the baby, his parents, and the United States of America and who loves to walk on the computer during Zoom meetings.

When I was young I thought I might run for office. Not all that long ago it seemed a not unrealistic possibility. I’m not interested in that anymore… I like to lead in my small corners of the world, where I can make a concrete positive difference in the lives of those I interact with.

But just once, I’d like to support a candidate I truly believe is worth working for. One who is not just a not so terribly awful man, but a great man.

And behind every great man is a beautiful cat.

Loviefluffy meditates, sending her magical energy into the universe to bring about peace by Cat World Domination.