TED Talks Daily

How to think critically about history — and why it matters | How to Be a Better Human

Feb 4, 2024

David Ikard, a Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University, delves into the complexity of historical narratives and their societal impact. He challenges the romanticized views of history, using examples like Rosa Parks to highlight misconceptions. Ikard emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and personal responsibility in understanding our past. Listeners are encouraged to question dominant narratives, advocate for social justice, and engage deeply with the stories of marginalized voices.

28:40

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Episode guests

David Ikard

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Rethinking Rosa Parks: Myths and Misunderstandings

10min

Exploring Diverse Perspectives in Historical Narratives

2min

The Complexity of Historical Narratives and Social Justice

4min

Advocating for Health Equality: A Personal Journey

3min

Empowering Education through Historical Understanding

4min

Embracing Personal Responsibility in Education

6min

The Power of Individual Voices in History

5min

Have you ever recalled a story only to have someone point out "that's not how it went"? Well, what happens when what we misrepresent are our historical narratives? David Ikard is a professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. In this episode of How to Be a Better Human, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, Ikard talks to host Chris Duffy about the societal and personal dangers of inaccurate narratives — and uncovers the real story of one of history's most iconic figures. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts

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