Tag Archives: reconstruction

Historian as rock star

Posted on February 7, 2013 by

Eric Foner is a remarkable historian who has turned the Dunning interpretation of the period of Reconstruction on its head. His analysis of this period is stunningly intelligent and inclusive, speaking of the remarable far-sightedness, almost modern ring to some … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Little Giant

Posted on February 10, 2012 by

I pass it everyday on my way to and from work. In the morning it signals that I have only ten minutes left of my 40 minute drive. In the late afternoon it signals that it’s time to put my … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, history, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Deconstructing Reconstruction

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

The historical period of Reconstruction reads almost like a Shakespearean tragedy. The players are awash in tragic flaws, the consequences of events are sometimes devastating, even overwhelming, often dramatic. Hopes and dreams are dashed against the rock of reticence, racism, … Continue reading →

Posted in history, school, social justice, Teaching, tolerance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thank you, Horatio Bat man

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

Presently we are in the midst of learning about the period of Reconstruction. We have immersed ourselves in lots of primary resources, challenging and sometimes obscure, at least to 8th graders–texts which reflect sophisticated vocabulary, complicated syntax, lots of double … Continue reading →

Posted in art, artist, history, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Who’s buried in Grant’s Tomb?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by

Right around the corner from the dorm we are staying in is Grant’s Tomb. I don’t know why I always thought it was in Ohio. I found it rather randomly, just wandering down Riverside Drive. It’s actually quite ironic in … Continue reading →

Posted in death, history, truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Visual antis

Posted on February 21, 2011 by

One of my students, in a paper entitled “The North won the war, but the South won the peace” wrote, “In 1866, a group of white southerners, who were upset about losing the Civil War and the direction of Recon- … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Teaching, words, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lillian Gish and Lady Gaga

Posted on February 17, 2011 by

We’re halfway through watching D.W. Griffith’s 1915 Birth of a Nation. Not an easy movie to watch—filled with racism and revisionist history. We have been immersed in the intricacies of Reconstruction and it seemed a perfect way to discuss how the … Continue reading →

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