Reflections and Aspirations: Insights from Obama, Bush, Costner, Longoria, Winslet, and Legend

History Talks: A Reflective Gathering on America’s Past and Future

On Saturday, two former U.S. presidents, a former first lady, and a panel of historians, authors, and journalists convened at the Academy Museum for a History Talks event. The focus was on exploring moments of conflict in American history to shed light on today’s polarization.

David Brooks, a New York Times columnist, described the 2010s as “a decade of indignation,” noting a shift toward a desire for more joy in the current decade.

Hosted by A+E Networks’ History Channel, the event featured engaging discussions, including a playful Q&A with President Barack Obama and Malcolm Gladwell, as well as a conversation between President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and their daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, who is also a “Today” co-host. Other notable speakers included Kevin Costner, Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, Kate Winslet, Nicole Avant, and John Legend. The event attracted an impressive audience from the entertainment industry, including Disney CEO Bob Iger and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

History Talks, spearheaded by A+E Networks president Paul Buccieri, has previously taken place in Washington, D.C., and New York. This latest event also highlighted L.A.’s Roybal Film and Television Magnet Program, aimed at preparing high school students for careers in entertainment. Contributors included Chuck Todd, Brooks, and renowned historians like Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham.

During his 45-minute session with Obama, Gladwell asked the former president about his evolving perspectives on his predecessors and what historical periods he would have liked to experience or avoid. Obama pointed to the significant challenges faced by figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing that some presidents transcend mere power to touch deeper societal narratives. “Folks like King, Gandhi, Lincoln — they change how we fundamentally think about ourselves,” he said, reflecting on the lasting impact of such leaders.

Obama also recalled his poignant 2015 speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, marking the struggle for voting rights. He described the event as a critical moment in American history, a “contest about who we are.”

Key Highlights from the Event:

• Kate Winslet shared insights from her upcoming film “Lee,” a biopic about photographer Elizabeth “Lee” Miller. She praised Miller’s courage to bear witness to the victims of conflict.
• Kevin Costner discussed how childhood experiences, particularly a visit to see the epic Western “How the West Was Won,” shaped his storytelling pursuits about the American West. He expressed a bittersweet sentiment about the tragic history of the region’s original inhabitants.
• Nicole Avant joined Kerry Washington to discuss the upcoming Netflix film “The Six Triple Eight,” which tells the inspiring story of an all-female battalion that resolved mail delivery issues during wartime, changing the narrative around military logistics.
• Eva Longoria concluded the program with a Q&A featuring John Legend, who performed several songs, including Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” Longoria emphasized the crucial role of media and storytelling in effecting political and social change, stating, “You have to change culture before you can change policy.”

The event served as a meaningful exploration of America’s historical conflicts, offering both reflection and inspiration for navigating the complexities of the present.