Hands Quote by Michelle Dean
“Most academic historians accept that historians' own circumstances demand that they tell the story in a particular way, of course. While people wring their hands about 'revisionist' historians; on some level, the correction and amplification of various parts of the past is not 'revisionism' as it is simply the process of any historical writing.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The Atlantic, “The Revisionist Historian”, 2020
Historians inevitably shape narratives based on their contexts; revisionism is simply part of historical writing, not a betrayal.
In simple terms: History is always colored by the writer’s perspective.
Key Takeaway
Accept bias, seek multiple viewpoints.
Themes
history
bias
interpretation
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
academic
reflective
When to use this quote
- education
- media literacy
- research
- public policy
Key Concepts
Narrative theory
post‑modernism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify bias in historical accounts?
- What responsibilities do historians have to their audience?
A Different Perspective
Bias can be used to manipulate public opinion.
