What follows is a guest post by Thom Bassett, who recently took a trip to Virginia to explore Civil War battlefields and other sites. He took the time to visit the new MOC museum at Appomattox and sent along this review. Thom teaches at Bryant University in Providence, R.I. He has written numerous essays for [...]
Memory
David Blight’s Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory has dominated the historiography of Civil War memory studies since its publication in 2001. Beyond academic circles, Blight’s emphasis on the triumph of reconciliation over an “emancipationst narrative” can be found in documentaries, news articles, and even historical tours. Rarely do historical interpretations enjoy [...]
I think most of you are going to enjoy this one. Speaking of reenactors, I enjoyed reading this piece about the experience of one extra in Spielberg’s Lincoln movie.
I have a fairly large file of emails that I’ve accumulated over the years from folks who interpret my writings as anti-South/Confederate or some other variation. It’s a narrative that I’ve grown accustomed to and represents a clear misunderstanding of what I do. More importantly, it reflects an oversimplified reading of the past, particularly when [...]
Update: Once again, the post was removed. I can only imagine the personal courage behind these sincere words of concern from the SHPG for those Northerners in the path of hurricane Sandy. As the descendant of people who would not arrive in this country until the early twentieth century, I truly appreciate Carl’s willingness to [...]
The following clip was pulled from a recent NEH panel on the legacy of emancipation. It included Ed Ayers, Gary Gallagher, Christy Coleman, Eric Foner, and Thavolia Glymph. I highly recommend viewing the entire session if you have the time, but for now check out this short clip from the Q&A. In it an African-American [...]
Today marks the 50th anniversary of campus violence at Ole Miss over the admission of James Meredith. NPR interview with Meredith Photographs from Ole Miss Special Collections Interpretation by James Sakoguchi Student-produced documentary on Confederate symbology at Ole Miss James Meredith’s new autobiography, A Mission from God: A Memoir and Challenge for America New York [...]
I guess we should have seen this coming from a mile away. In the wake of heated protests from their loyal fans Lynyrd Skynyrd has decided that they will fly the Confederate flag at their concerts. And just in case you still question their commitment to the flag’s history and meaning rest assured: Myself, the [...]
