It is like writing history with lightning and my only regret is that it is all so terribly true

It is like writing history with lightning and my only regret is that it is all so terribly true

"It is like writing history with lightning and my only regret is that it is all so terribly true." These words, spoken by President Woodrow Wilson after watching D.W. Griffith's controversial film "The Birth of a Nation" in 1915, encapsulate the complex legacy of a man who was both a visionary leader and a deeply flawed individual.

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, serving from 1913 to 1921. He is perhaps best known for his leadership during World War I and his efforts to establish the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations. Wilson was a progressive reformer who championed causes such as women's suffrage, labor rights, and anti-trust legislation. He also signed into law the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, which laid the foundation for modern financial regulation.

However, Wilson's legacy is also marred by his support for segregation and his administration's suppression of civil liberties during World War I. Wilson's decision to screen "The Birth of a Nation" at the White House, despite its racist portrayal of African Americans and glorification of the Ku Klux Klan, is a stain on his record that continues to tarnish his reputation.

The quote "It is like writing history with lightning and my only regret is that it is all so terribly true" reflects Wilson's conflicted feelings about the power of propaganda and the impact of his own actions. Wilson was a masterful communicator who understood the importance of shaping public opinion, but he also recognized the danger of using that power to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and distort historical truth.