Summary of "Act III: Just Human" – The Historian's Table Podcast

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Historian's Table
• Host/Author: The Historian's Table
• Episode: Act III: Just Human
• Release Date: November 12, 2024
• Description: "The Historian's Table" delves into history as a mirror of ourselves, emphasizing that history cannot be separated from its narrators. This episode challenges traditional notions of heroism, advocating for a more empathetic and nuanced understanding of historical figures and events.

Introduction: Rethinking Heroes in History

Host Charles Fournier opens the episode by challenging the conventional concept of heroes in history. He states:

“If we are being honest, there are no heroes in history. There are heroic moments, absolutely. But heroes, as we think of them, are too perfect. They're impossible.” (02:10)

This sets the stage for a discussion that seeks to humanize historical figures, acknowledging their complexities and imperfections.

Personal Narratives: William Luis and His Heritage

The episode transitions to a personal narrative involving William Luis, Diego's father, who shares his diverse heritage and journey to academia.

• Heritage and Family Background: William explains his mixed heritage, being the son of a Chinese immigrant father and a Cuban mother:

  “My grandfather was born. And so he was a mixture of the Canary Islander, because there were a lot of Canary Islanders, they were the black enslaved in Cuba. And he went ahead and became a blacksmith.” (04:43)

• Migration and Settlement: William recounts his family's migration from China to Cuba and eventually to the United States, highlighting the multicultural environment of New York City's Lower East Side during the 1940s:

  “I think that that was probably the environment and that's the environment that I was born in, is seeing, you know, my parents from different races as well as some friends of different races.” (07:02)

• Educational Journey and Leadership: Despite limited educational opportunities, William's leadership roles in high school paved his way to higher education:

  “I was junior class president and then I was president of the school.” (09:35)

• Academic Pursuits: William pursued higher education at Binghamton (then Harper College) and later Cornell University, where a pivotal conversation with his advisor transformed his academic trajectory:

  “...stop eating shit and get to work. And so at that time, I realized, okay, this is something I'm doing for me.” (12:53)

  This determination led him to earn an MA and PhD from Cornell and eventually become a professor at Vanderbilt University.

Intergenerational Reflections: Diego Javier Luis and Academic Aspirations

Diego Javier Luis, William's son, reflects on his father's influence and his own path in academia:

• Initial Resistance to Academia: Diego initially resisted following in his father's academic footsteps, aspiring instead to be a creative writer:

  “Originally, I didn't want to be a professor or anything like that. I wanted to do creative writing.” (14:19)

• Ironic Fulfillment: Despite his efforts, Diego finds himself embodying many of the traits he sought to avoid, leading to an ironic fulfillment of his father's legacy:

  “Diego worked hard not to be like his father, but he is now a professor that, according to Julian, might be working too hard in regards to his mental health and overall quality of life.” (15:18)

Historical Context: The 1603 Manila Massacre

The episode delves into a historical analysis of the 1603 massacre in Manila's Chinatown, illustrating Spanish imperial anxiety and anti-Asian violence.

• Setting the Scene: Manila, under Spanish colonial rule, had a majority Chinese population, causing tension due to cultural and religious differences:

  “Manila is an interesting case because it was actually majority Chinese population that lived there.” (20:55)

• Governor's Expedition and Mutiny: Governor Gomez Perez das Marinas conscripted 200 inexperienced Chinese sailors for an expedition, leading to severe tensions and eventual mutiny:

  “The Chinese decide that they're going to take control of the ship.” (25:03)

• Violent Aftermath: The mutiny resulted in the death of the Spanish governor and escalated Spanish efforts to violently suppress the Chinese population:

  “The Chinese mutiny leads to the death of the Spanish governor of the Philippines. This is a big deal.” (26:31)

• Massacre and Revenge: Governor Luis Perez Das Maria, son of the slain governor, orchestrates a brutal retaliation, massacring 20,000 Chinese inhabitants:

  “The escalation to a genocidal event partially stems from this imperial anxiety...” (29:23)

Analyzing Heroism and Human Complexity

The hosts and guests engage in a deep discussion about the nature of heroism, using historical events to illustrate their points.

• Debunking Heroic Myths: William emphasizes the flawed nature of historical heroes, advocating for a more realistic portrayal:

  “I do still think there's like valor. Right. Even in the most brutal circumstances.” (32:12)

• Contextualizing Actions: The conversation underscores the importance of understanding the context behind actions, rather than labeling them as purely heroic or villainous:

  “Taking an honest look at history is more than simply convicted. Condemning something as bad and just stopping there. That isn't history.” (17:13)

• Empathy and Nuance: The hosts argue that empathetic and nuanced perspectives are essential for an honest recounting of history, moving beyond simplistic narratives:

  “An honest look at history requires an inclusive look at history, an effort to see the imperfections and context that makes people human.” (34:55)

Conclusions: The Value of Honest History

Charles Fournier concludes by highlighting the podcast's mission to foster empathy and understanding through honest historical analysis.

“Gathering more context gets us a little closer to the truth, to an honest view of history.” (35:35)

He emphasizes that by removing the expectation of perfection, listeners can develop more authentic and complex understandings of both historical figures and themselves.

Looking Ahead: Teaser for Act IV

The episode wraps up with a preview of the next installment:

“Next time in Act 4, we will learn about a South Asian holy woman.” (35:35)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Charles Fournier on the absence of heroes:

  “If we are being honest, there are no heroes in history...” (02:10)

• William Luis on his turning point in graduate school:

  “Stop eating shit and get to work.” (12:53)

• Diego Javier Luis on the complexity of heroism:

  “The idea of heroism, you know, you have to do some gymnastics to get to the capital H. Hero.” (32:24)

• Charles Fournier on the importance of empathetic history:

  “Gathering more context gets us a little closer to the truth, to an honest view of history.” (35:35)

Conclusion: "Act III: Just Human" of The Historian's Table offers a profound exploration of history's complexity, challenging listeners to reconsider traditional hero narratives. Through personal stories and historical analysis, the episode underscores the importance of empathy and nuanced understanding in both academic pursuits and personal identity.

Credits:

• Host: Charles Fournier
• Guests: William Luis, Julian Sapariti, Diego Javier Luis
• Production: Written and produced by Charles Fournier
• Based on: The First Asians in the Americas by Diego Javier Luis
• Music: Julian Sapariti
• Mixing and Mastering: Seth Boggess
• Funding: Tufts University

For those interested in combating anti-Asian hate and violence, visit stop.AAPIhate.org.