Things We Forget

Alan Rickman is the actor who played a multitude of characters, like Serverus Snape in the Harry Potter movies. I’d choose him. He’s not ancient history, but he is a…

I’d talk to Wangari Maathai about healing the earth, one seed and one shaken world at a time.

I’d meet Billie Jean King to understand what it takes to turn your own talent into a doorway for others.

I’d choose Temujin—the young Genghis Khan—to ask what loneliness feels like before it becomes empire.

I’d sit with Marsha P. Johnson just to feel what radical love sounds like when spoken by someone who lived it every day.

I’d meet Jean-Michel Basquiat to ask how he carried the weight of brilliance that burned too fast.

If I could meet a historical figure, I’d choose Bessie Coleman. I want to know how she kept dreaming of the sky when the world refused to give her a…

I’d choose Princess Diana. I would ask her what kindness meant to her in private moments.

I’d talk to Langston Hughes. I’d ask how he found rhythm in both joy and struggle.

I’d meet Lou Gehrig. I want to understand gratitude from someone who lived it in the hardest moments.