Debating Emancipation on C-SPAN

Over the weekend C-SPAN televised a panel on emancipation that took place over the summer as part of the Civil War Institute.  Pete Carmichael was kind enough to invite me to take part on this particular panel, though I have to admit that I felt a bit out of place next to my colleagues.  The other panelists included Keith Harris, Anne Marshall, Glenn D. Brasher, and Craig Symonds.

My friends at the SHPG were so excited about my first C-SPAN appearance that one member decided to create a short clip of just me.  Apparently, my emphasis on the importance of acknowledging northern racism is news. I couldn’t ask for more loyal support and I thank them for it.

I do hope C-SPAN plans on televising the CWI panel on blogging, which also included Harris and Brooks Simpson.  Finally, I do want to pass along news of Louis Masur’s new book, which explores the hundred days between Lincoln’s preliminary and final emancipation proclamation.  I am about half-way through and enjoying it.

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8 comments… add one
  • Lyle Smith Sep 25, 2012 @ 10:24

    Good discussion. You fit right in Kevin.

    This isn’t germane, but I’m with Symonds on the importance of a war bringing about the end of slavery in the United States. There had to be some kind of violence to end slavery. Slavery was just too essential to the economy and culture of the South for Southerners to just let go of it freely.

  • GBrasher Sep 25, 2012 @ 8:17

    After further review, this discussion is slightly better than I think we all originally thought (despite the attempts by the moderator to drag it into deeper and murkier waters.) Nice work, Kevin. It cracks me up that the heritage folks felt it was somehow noteworthy that you discussed northern racism.

    By the way, I like the new look on the website.

    • Kevin Levin Sep 25, 2012 @ 8:44

      I agree. We ended up with a pretty good discussion.

      Thanks for the feedback re: the new design. The software that I use is scheduled for a major upgrade so expect more changes in the near future.

  • Pat Young Sep 24, 2012 @ 17:18

    Great panel.

  • Michael Aubrecht Sep 24, 2012 @ 11:08

    I watched the episode and enjoyed it very much. Well done Kevin.

    • Kevin Levin Sep 24, 2012 @ 12:52

      Thanks.

  • Andy Hall Sep 24, 2012 @ 5:53

    Apparently, my emphasis on acknowledging northern racism is news.

    This even may herald a new era in which the True Southrons actually listen to, and think about, what people with whom they disagree actually say and write, rather than huff and puff and fume about their supposed motivations and knock down straw men consisting of simplistic, absolutist arguments they never actually made.

    Why are you laughing, Kevin? It could happen. . . .

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