July 08, 2025

Living Well at the End of a World: Angel Adams Parham on “Remembering America: The High Stakes of Memory and Moral Imagination in Civic Life”

52 minutes

In her talk, “Remembering America: The High Stakes of Memory and Moral Imagination in Civic Life,” Angel Adams Parham explores how narratives of the American past, especially those concerning slavery and racial segregation, influence civic unity. She proposes the "integrated blues mode" as a new way to approach American history, which acknowledges the difficult aspects of the past while working towards reconciliation. Parham contrasts this with the "nefarious origins" and "triumph of ideals" perspectives. She illustrates these ideas through local examples from St. Francisville, St. Augustine, and New Orleans, highlighting the importance of engaging with complex histories at a community level. Ultimately, Parham advocates for a nuanced historical understanding that embraces both the challenges and positive aspects of the past to foster civic friendship and a more inclusive American identity.

The Morningside Institute hosted a two-day conference on April 4–5, 2025. On its first day, the conference examined some of the radical changes that Western societies are undergoing. On the second day, we explored in greater detail historical examples of how communities have navigated periods of intense cultural change and even devastation. For more information about Living Well at the End of a World, please visit https://www.morningsideinstitute.org/living-well.

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