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That is not to say Rome was without its faults. Like many other ancient- and modern- societies, the empire was fraught with both social and legal injustices, from the oppression of women to the practice of slavery. it is important that, in
our study of classical civilizations, we look at history for what it truly is- without whitewashing, without glorifying, without distorting.
Thus, this is my challenge for you: to reclaim, reframe, and reimagine. What do the classics mean to you? What do they mean in our society today? How can we shape the narrative so that it is accurate and truthful to antiquity?
History isn't a mirror, but perhaps a guide- and let us learn from the lessons of the past as we walk forward into tomorrow.
This year's convention saw amazing speeches about diversity in classics, like this presentation by Dr. Kennedy!