Lmst

For this #MidnightMeditations, let's wish #MelBrooks a happy 99th birthday, as on #ThisDayInHistory in 1926 the great comedian was born in New York City.

I'll post a #MidnightMeditations early as I'm tired. On #ThisDayInHistory in 1869, #EmmaGoldman was born in Lithuania. She was a strong influence on me as a kid for her uncompromising love of #freedom, her #feminism, and for advocating #equality of rights and opportunity for all.

On #ThisDayInHistory in 1905 was born #JeanPaulSartre, the French #existentialist philosopher and #Marxist political activist. #Sartre was a key early influence on my thinking and I continue to find sources of inspiration when revisiting his work.
(An early #MidnightMeditations.)

I'll post an early #MidnightMeditations entry on #SigmundFreud, because he was born on #ThisDayInHistory in 1856, and also because I started my day recounting a bizarre dream to my partner and we had fun speculating on its meaning. Seems most characters in it were really her. 😉

On #ThisDayInHistory in 1677, the #Dutch philosopher #BaruchSpinoza died. A pioneer in #HigherCriticism for scripture, #Spinoza's work in #ethics & #ontology inspired #Enlightenment deists & scientists, as well as later perspectivists like #Nietzsche.
#MidnightMeditations

On #ThisDayInHistory in 1895 #FrederickDouglass died. In a time of rising #authoritarianism and irrational #bigotry, we need people willing to light the fires of #revolution once again. Don't sit this out; history is watching us all. #MidnightMeditations

#MidnightMeditations #AntonioGramsci

In a world/country that's hurting so much and has so much to fear, it is important to hold onto empathy and basic humanity.
This matters as much on the personal level as on the sociopolitical, too.

#MidnightMeditations #HannahArendt