Can we judge past individuals by today’s moral standards? It’s often argued that it’s unfair to apply modern standards to historical figures. However, the spectrum of moral beliefs is often present regardless of what was socially accepted at the time. Current “woke” moral standards aren’t revolutionary; they’ve been present throughout human history.

Historically, it is rare for those in power to make significant and complex decisions in a moral vacuum. Most historical figures knew the full picture and had the necessary information to make moral decisions that left a long-lasting impact. It comes down to the power a person holds, their capacity for good, and their ability to choose what do to with information available to them. So yes, we can judge people from the past for their lack of moral consideration when they made decisions that negatively contributed to the state of society today.

This May at Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History, city councillor and educator Courtney Walcott will explore why we should judge complex figures from our past by current moral standards. Courtney will examine how morals have been shaped over time, who defines them, who benefits from them, and how when history turns to myth and memorial, such as the complex story of the Famous Five, we give away our own capacity to learn from complex histories and reflect on the legacies of our own choices today.