Most of the time, I’m by far the oldest guy in the room, so when it comes to memories, mine reach back the furthest. So it is a refreshing experience this week to hang out with my sisters, who remember things that I don’t.
It is also nice to be just a character in the memory of others as opposed to the being an aged family patrician and the sole custodian of the now-distant past.
I was almost 30 when my first child was born, and almost 60 when my first grandchild was born. That’s a lot of rings in the tree for me to try and recall when my descendants ask me specific questions.
Besides, the way I tell a tale is *my* way, not necessarily with any higher quotient of accuracy than anyone else who was there at the time — yet I’m the only one around. And of course, the more distant in the past an event occurred, the more our individual versions are likely to diverge, which brings me to the phenomenon of memory consensus.
Within families, communities, countries, cultures — even on a species level — we ultimately tend to reach some sort of consensus about the past, though historians, ideologues, contrarians and poets continue to debate
And as much as I enjoy telling my descendants stories about my youth, I’m acutely aware from my journalism career that for a more well-rounded narrative, other sources ought to be interviewed. My version is only that — mine.
Then again, to the victors go the spoils, and nothing spells victory over historical memory better than outliving the others. So as we each add in more rings to our personal family trees, the story at some point becomes ours alone to tell…though a joint family memoir would no doubt do a better job than any of us could ever have done alone.
As the saying goes, there’s your version, my version and then there is the truth and none of us is lying.
Today’s News (48):
Ukraine refuses to surrender amid new Russia threat; Biden will travel to Poland (Fox)
Ukraine defied a Russian demand that its forces lay down arms before dawn in Mariupol, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have been trapped in a city under siege and already laid to waste by Russian bombardment. (Reuters)
Eight die in Russian strike on Kyiv shopping centre (BBC)
Siege of Mariupol is a ‘war crime,’ says Zelenskiy (Reuters)
Russia Broadens Mariupol Assault as Signs of Stalemate Take Shape (NYT)
Mariupol struggling to learn more about art school bombing (CNN)
Ukraine conflict: Russia trying to starve Mariupol into surrender - MP (BBC)
Ukraine rejects Russia’s ultimatum to surrender Mariupol (Financial Times)
As Mariupol hangs on, the extent of the horror not yet known (Politico)
Russia's military had ordered Ukrainians inside the city in the country's southeast to surrender by 5 a.m., saying that those who do so would be permitted to leave through safe corridors. (Reuters)
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine in 2014 and 2015 is shaping Biden’s actions (WP)
White House to meet with top oil, bank CEOs on Russian sanctions (Fox)
Chinese article urging country to cut ties with Putin gets 1m views (Guardian)
Chinese ambassador says condemning Russia for Ukraine invasion "doesn't solve the problem" (Face the Nation)
Ukrainian refugees are flooding into Warsaw. Its mayor warns it’s on the brink. (WP)
Biden tells companies to immediately harden defenses against potential Russian cyberattacks (Politico)
Zelensky nationalizes TV news and restricts opposition parties (Yahoo News)
War Brings Out Solidarity and Defiance in Ukrainians Who Remain (NYT)
Ukraine rejects Kremlin demand to surrender Mariupol; Russia says U.S. relations ‘on the verge of rupture’ (CNBC)
Ukrainian officials soundly rejected a Russian proposal for civilians' safe passage out of the strategic port city of Mariupol in exchange for surrender by a deadline of 5 a.m. Monday. Fighting for the city has remained intense, but Western governments agree that the Russian offensive in other areas has floundered and the conflict may be grinding into a war of attrition. [AP]
Putin’s war propaganda becomes ‘patriotic’ lessons in Russian schools (WP)
VIDEO: In Irpin, a Last-ditch Effort to Evacuate From Russian Attacks (NYT)
A quarter of Ukrainians have fled their homes. (CNN)
Why Can’t the West Admit That Ukraine Is Winning? (Atlantic)
President Joe Biden's warning of "consequences" for any aid China may give to Russia's Ukraine war effort could force Chinese President Xi Jinping to choose between a longstanding lucrative trade relationship with the West and a growing strategic partnership with Moscow. (Reuters)
Russia Is Losing Tens of Thousands of Outward-Looking Young Professionals (NYT)
U.N. secretary general says global climate target ‘is on life support’ (WP)
Russia finds Meta guilty of 'extremist activity', says WhatsApp can stay (Reuters)
Nearly 1 in 4 people in Ukraine forced out of their homes since Russia’s invasion (WP)
The problem with ‘hypersonic’ and Russia’s attack claim (Politico)
It’s Now Putin’s Plan B in Ukraine vs. Biden’s and Zelensky’s Plan A (NYT)
VIDEO: Russian Airstrike Kills Dozens at Ukrainian Marine Base (AP)
Chinese Boeing jet crashes in mountains with 132 on board, no sign of survivors (CNN)
With the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act dying in the Senate last year, people who lost family to police violence are losing hope for reform. President Joe Biden could take actions through executive orders, but that hasn't happened, and a White House official told HuffPost there is no timeline for any further reform. HuffPost's Phillip Jackson speaks with some of the families about what they're feeling. [HuffPost]
Hong Kong plans to relax some anti-COVID-19 measures next month, lifting a ban on flights from nine countries, reducing quarantine for arrivals from abroad and reopening schools. The moves, announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, come after a backlash from businesses and residents who see the rest of the world shifting to "living with the virus". (Reuters)
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court, is going before the Senate Judiciary Committee with the path to her historic confirmation seemingly clear. Hearings begin today. Her testimony will give most Americans their most extensive look yet at the Harvard-trained lawyer with a resume that includes two years as a federal public defender. [AP]
Senate to begin confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden’s Supreme Court pick (WP)
The U.S. Senate begins consideration today of Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, with Republicans expected to pose tough questions about her professional background and judicial philosophy. We look at the varied legal resume Jackson brings. (Reuters)
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson pledges to be a neutral arbiter if confirmed to Supreme Court (WP)
Senate bill kicks off new online copyright battle (Politico)
Millions of children to be vaccinated for polio in Africa after Malawi detects case (Guardian)
Rep. Liz Cheney (R), who co-chairs the House Jan. 6 Committee, said that the panel is exploring the possibility of recommending “enhanced criminal penalties” for former President Donald Trump over his actions surrounding the attack. “So there will be legislative recommendations and there certainly will be new information," Cheney told NBC's "Meet the Press." [HuffPost]
A new proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom would give $100 million to California Indigenous tribes so they can repurchase their land. (Guardian)
‘I’ve played every Wordle and lost only once — here are my tips’ (Tom’s Guide)
Therapist Gives Slight Wince Of Recognition After Hearing Which Friend Recommended Her To New Patient (The Onion)
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