How far do you agree with the view that master-slave relations in the antebellum South are most accurately described as paternal? There exists much study surrounding the issue of master-slave relationships in the antebellum South; that is, debate regarding whether slaveholders lived up to their arguably propagandist paternal reputation or whether their relations with their … Continue reading Master-Slave Relations in the Antebellum South
African American History: Racism and Resistance
Autobiographies under Jim Crow
What are the strengths and weaknesses of autobiographies as evidence on the nature of black-white attitudes and relationships under Jim Crow? Answer with detailed reference to TWO key studies. Introduction The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia describes the Jim Crow system of segregation as a ‘racial caste system’ in operation largely in southern states … Continue reading Autobiographies under Jim Crow
Analytical Biography of Solomon Northup
Northup, Solomon: born: Minerva, New York, 1808; died: unknown. Now the focus of a major narrative on the silver screen, the life of Solomon Northup has intrigued and appalled viewers. Provoking tears and sorrow in millions, there possibly exists no single slave who holds greater fame. Ironically, perhaps, it was the desire for fame or … Continue reading Analytical Biography of Solomon Northup
If there is no struggle, there is no progress
By far one of my favourite speeches of all time. I give you Mr Frederick Douglass, speaking in New York, 1857. Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of … Continue reading If there is no struggle, there is no progress
And yet the people of the free states have no guilt in slavery!
Slowly beginning work on my dissertation on racial violence and I found this article from 1834, Boston, Massachusetts. I think it really is fascinating but I can't use it because of its location, so I thought I'd share it with you guys. It is from an online archive called Accessible Archives and is followed by … Continue reading And yet the people of the free states have no guilt in slavery!
The Modern Day Slave Ship
Might be a little behind on the times with this one, since it was an issue from mid-September 2014, however, I thought it was worth a little note. A Pennsylvania newspaper, the Lancaster New Era, ran a cartoon comparing the appalling conditions that African men and women were exposed to. The International Slavery Museum explains … Continue reading The Modern Day Slave Ship
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
James Weldon Johnson's novel describing a young boy's discovery that he is black on his path to adulthood is truly moving. I have just begun reading this 100-page marvel and am already fascinated by the journey that this anonymous narrator will take. In a fascinating and unexpected turn for someone with no prior knowledge of … Continue reading The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
In 1,000 words, write a comparative essay discussing how two history books written by different authors can fit within historiographical categories. Define these categories, discuss any overlaps and uncertainties and reflect on what we can learn from locating books in their historiographical context.
This is a draft version of a recent essay. I have no idea where the completed one is... Probably lost in the university computer system. This is an unedited version, therefore, and may be a little waffley or mistake-ridden. History is a vast subject, spanning thousands of years of wars and conflicts, the lives of … Continue reading In 1,000 words, write a comparative essay discussing how two history books written by different authors can fit within historiographical categories. Define these categories, discuss any overlaps and uncertainties and reflect on what we can learn from locating books in their historiographical context.
Loic Wacquant’s article ‘From Slavery to Mass Incarceration’
For a seminar this morning, I have been reading a number of articles and chapters on the topic of mass incarceration in the United States. One in piqued my interest, however. Loic Wacquant's article, published in the New Left Review in early 2002, offers a fascinating theorem on the continuing confinement of African Americans. Entitled … Continue reading Loic Wacquant’s article ‘From Slavery to Mass Incarceration’
Select ONE image/document. Comment on and contextualise your chosen image with reference to relevant readings.
As African Americans offered a new avenue of ideas for entertainment such as dramatic, dance and music performances as well as within popular literature, their inclusion in the arts and media brought a further exaggeration of negative white racist stereotypes.[1] Any black characters were often quickly put into categories, including happy subservience to the white … Continue reading Select ONE image/document. Comment on and contextualise your chosen image with reference to relevant readings.
The Historian's Apprentice 