“But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past - or more accurately, pastness - is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past”
Quote by Michel-Rolph Trouillot
Work
Silencing the Past (20th anniversary edition): Power and the Production of History
This book delves into the complex relationship between power structures and historical accounts, examining how dominant groups have controlled and manipulated historical records to serve their interests. The 20th anniversary edition includes new material reflecting on the evolution of historical scholarship and the ongoing relevance of the original arguments. more
Author
Michel-Rolph Trouillot
Michel-Rolph Trouillot was a Caribbean-born writer known for his postcolonial literature and critical race theory works. His writings often focus on the colonial history and postcolonial identity issues of the Caribbean region. more