Memory of Disaster

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As Dr. Shrout mentioned in class the other day, David McCullough has been critiqued by historians for not being a ‘real’ or ‘serious’ historian.  This critique extends beyond McCullough and to the entire sub-genre of narrative histories.  However, I argue that this is a genre that is needed to expose large sections of the population to more in depth analyses and accounts of past events.

As a history major, I am thrilled by the idea of reading scholarly accounts of events.  However, I know that not every Davidson student shares this opinion, much less the general population.  I argue that narrative histories serve to bring history to a broader audience than would otherwise be exposed to it.

In reading the news in the last few days, I have come across extensive coverage of Flight MH370.  Disappeared early Saturday morning with well over 200 people on board, I raise the question of how this disaster will be remembered.  The Johnstown Flood, which took over 2,000 lives, has faded from popular memory.  However, the Chicago Fire killed only a few hundred, but has remained ingrained in our national memory.  How will this international disaster be remembered in the different countries?

Price focuses on the responsibly for the disaster-how the diffusion of responsibly at the South Fork Hunting Club was at least partially to blame for the events that followed.  I inquire how the lack of a clear responsible party will affect the way that MH370 will be remembered.  As discussed in class, much of the legacy of Johnstown was that it set the precedent that the upper class had a responsibility for the lower classes.  How will MH370 change perceptions or practices?  If it fails to have widespread policy or opinion, will it be destined to be as forgotten as the Peshtigo Fire?