No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 216: Unabridged Interview: David Blight
Jul 4, 2025
David Blight, Sterling Professor of History at Yale, dives into Yale's historical ties to slavery and the challenges of confronting such complex narratives. He emphasizes the importance of remembering the past accurately, arguing against the narratives that seek to sanitize history for national pride. Blight reflects on a significant project commissioned by Yale's president that resulted in his acclaimed book, examining both the negative and positive legacies of institutions. He highlights how our collective memory shapes societal discourse on race and accountability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Yale and Slaveholding Clergy
- Yale's early clergy commonly owned slaves, reflecting societal norms of the time.
- This included prominent figures like first President Thomas Clap, who recorded slave labor details for Connecticut Hall construction.
History as Institutional Memory
- The book frames Yale's history with slavery as a complex act of institutional memory.
- It aims to present truth in narrative form for broad audiences, not just to assign blame or seek reparations.
Tragedy and American Identity
- Americans often avoid tragedy due to a cultural belief in progress and chosenness.
- A serious sense of tragedy is necessary to cultivate true hope and historical understanding.
