How is history represented? Or news for that matter? Societies, particularly those in power in the media, filter what is documented. What is written may be given a particular focus either by choice or an unconscious bias.
Many studies exist on the role of the historiographer, the author who is describing history to us. Don Quixote is a prime example of the study of the role of the historiographer: Cervantes writes a story, supposedly based on a found document written by a historian, Cide Hamete Benengeli, about the adventures of Don Quixote. Cervantes leads the reader to question the concepts of authenticity and truth, not only the veracity of novels of chivalry which have driven the poor protagonist mad, in what has become an example of a prelude to postmodernist metafiction. Historiographic metafiction looks at the ways in which history itself can be manipulated by those in power. The movement voices the concern that historical records can be flavoured to represent the interests of those in power.
History on a lower level
Historical records tend to prioritize those who are important in senior positions in politics, governing bodies, institutions, and the arts. Members of the public going about their day to day lives are much less prominent. If history concentrates only on these important prominent figures, important details will be missed.
The concept of ‘historiography,’ developing an interest in the micro-history of our daily lives is not a new one. Writers of the Generation of 1898 in Spain discussed the need for a history that was closer to daily life; the concept of intra-historia (intra-history) was coined by Spanish writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno, himself an important figure in the movement.
Through the concept of intra-historia, Unamuno formulates a philosophy of history that allows for an acknowledgement of historical facts, while asserting that there also exists a deeper truth that better expresses the complicated course of history. Historia, the more obvious presence of recorded events and ideas, will therefore be supported by an intra-historia, a determining force whose existence is perceived through the eternal traditions of the ordinary people.
Artist Daniel Vázquez Díaz, one of the most important figures of the Picasso generation, who painted Unamuno’s portrait, described him as ‘the man who had taught me to think’.
Intra-historia becomes a decoration around the mainstream historical narrative. Unamuno himself compared official history to press headlines; whereas intra-history deals with events which happen but which are not published in newspapers. Intra-history exists only in the shadows of what is officially reported. These thoughts motivated the Generation of 1898 in Spain to travel and record stories to reveal their country’s true nature, in contrast to the official image of Spain reported in newspapers.
Other authors, such as María Dolores Pérez Murillo at Cádiz University connect the term intra-historia with historically marginalized groups and the oral tradition; life stories versus more official histories.
Social media platforms
Social media at least gives some voice to that intra-history for groups marginalized by the mainstream narrative. Social media platforms have changed this to some extent, as users can write their own stories online, in so far as the online information continues to exist. However, these narratives are not categorized into official history books.
Societies thrive on an ability to question and to see problems in a different light. They can portray truth and the impact of problems on the ‘little people,’ caused by currently governing bodies, who may not always have the best interests of their fellow human beings to hand. Those who own the media and the political arena own history. This is relevant in our current era of media manipulation, with the power grabs seen by recent events at GB News. Social media campaigns can be bought; Cambridge Analytica campaigns and Putin’s Troll Farms are major modern examples of purchased social media manipulation dominated by ‘fake news’.
Intra-history informs the official records
Should citizens look hard enough for it, some intra-history has managed to enter official historical records. One example is Hansard, the substantially verbatim record of everything said during the parliamentary debates many of us have followed. Pieces of intra-history creep in there, whenever the examples of those personal stories appear as reference points, but it requires focus from those debating on that particular group or problem to mention case studies.
Start telling the news
Mainstream channels could and should pay more attention to intra-history. The need for alternative media gave rise to publications like our own Bylines network.
A brilliant example of the impact of political choices on the lives of ordinary people exists in the publications from the3Million, In Limbo and In Limbo Two. Campaign groups Brexpats and the3Million have said that it is the personal stories which are the most powerful, they shed light on the unfairness imposed though political will. These groups campaigned tirelessly to give those people impacted by the Brexit deal a voice and a place in history. New rules on migration and the increased restrictions ruined lives and will keep families apart.
Intra-history and health risks
While the impacts of long-Covid have had some attention in the news, the media and government are losing interest in the subject. The recent series Breathtaking is a notable exception. In an interview with ITV, Dr Rachel Clarke revealed that our Westminster government purchased PPE for NHS staff, but it was not distributed to them. Even now staff are expected to wear flimsy surgical masks. Mainstream news for the most part reports less and less on the Covid virus.
Social media is still very active on this subject. More news is posted there by doctors writing on X than can be heard via Sky or the BBC.
A recent BBC ‘Casualty’ episode even portrayed as crazy an anxious lady with mental health issues who wore an FFP3 respirator mask; it prompted many complaints from clinically vulnerable family groups. There is an element of media disregard for the realities of those who need to guard their health, while governments around the globe have swept the Covid crisis under the carpet to prioritise the economy.
Covid is no longer a news item. The public, many of whom get their daily news from TV, go about their daily life as if nothing is wrong, until a problem appears in their own lives. Yet on social media, concerned parents report the sick-day incidence of many children and staff at school.
Doctors reported that they had suffered Covid twice within a couple of months via work related infections. In general, there is an increase of sickness absence in the workplace and a disturbing increase in heart attacks. These intra-histories should gain more prominence.
Covid is not the flu: brain fog is real
Unknown to me until recently, at the end of November last year a member of my family caught Covid, possibly at a medical appointment. My relative was very poorly, and bed bound from the end of November until January; even by mid-March they were still feeling the after effects. ‘Covid did not turn into a bit of a cold’ was the message. On-going post viral issues include brain fog and fatigue; for sufferers it is a challenge even to send text messages. This, despite the received booster vaccinations. Covid can impact lives to the extent that it inhibits day to day activities once taken for granted.
Dr Claire Taylor recently posted a study, which demonstrated that long Covid has caused symptoms which resemble dementia or a brain injury as the virus consumes neurones which it uses to replicate itself. Unfortunately, there are many more cases like this. Covid is not over…
All this is conspicuously absent from mainstream news. A quick look online to research Covid statistics for any region often reveals the following message: ‘no data available.’ Society no longer wants to see the problem. Is this the sort of society you would like to live in? Both the media and we ourselves should stop and think: can we do more to improve our safety as a society? Should we be wearing masks if we visit a GP surgery, or on public transport? Should we take a Covid test if we feel under the weather, just in case?
Intra-history raises awareness
Another salient example of the pressing need for objective reporting is the cost-of-living crisis. Those in public service occupations, such as nurses, have had to resort to food banks to supplement salaries which do not meet their needs, especially those nurses who are single parents.
Intra-history, the details of what is really happening to citizens day to day is not only of vital importance, but it is a tool to bring about change through our increased collective public awareness. The data is there. The studies are there. How much longer can people ignore it?
