Thursday, February 18, 2016
Leaders of the personal Agenda
This post is really late and i am sorry. looking into last weeks tour of the campus was something that needed to sink in. The concept of most of the stops I had already learned about many of these stops through my freshman composition class. Yet the detailed information that was defined was well liberating. The fact of not knowing of these on my tour and information sessions nothing of these sorts was talked of nor hinted at. Many campus's around the country and the south were built by slave labor which most people see as shocking, yet are cornered into the concept of geographical location by time period. this for many reasons can be seen as excusable. Yes time and place do play a factor as in politics do play a large role in the advancement of situations. The ideals of one who have the power can have an effect on the opinion of many. As we had discussed in lecture the concept of " the one who controls the present, controls the past" the explanation is that those who control the system now can manipulate the effects that past historical events play within the realm of the lives of those who play the role of new generations. This is why I believe that the facts of these historical locations and events that took place have been in a sense "covered up". These notable events if expressed during such events as campus tours could take cause a mass decrease in the enrollment rate at the university.
By divulging the information of these historical hatred it may have put the future of enrollment rates, out of state enrollment, and eclectic mix that has graced this great university as a whole. Over my last 4 years attending The University of Alabama there have been many aspect that have put faith and morals in question, both personal and universal. Yet there has been progress in which has shaped every moment of my tenure at this great historic college. The institution of diversity has been well on its way to inclusion of all. "They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself"- Andy Warhol. This quote my mother told me inspired the ideals that it is not the popular opinion of many does it take to change the world, but the outspoken thoughts and drive that one may have to take an the stance against that popular opinion and want to make a change that challenges the system of the present day leaders who "control the past".
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7 billion people, 7 continents, 7 opinions
I think that the tour that we took as a group, opened up a lot of our eyes. Like I said in class, I almost feel cheated for not having known the history that lies behind the University of Alabama. Of course, being a public relations major, I can sympathize with the reasoning behind the choice of what to include in campus tours... But another part of me is still in disbelief. I can't believe that after studying here for almost 3 years, I did not know a single stop on the tour.
ReplyDeleteOn another side of the coin, I am thankful for being a University of Alabama student. If I had stayed in my hometown of Naperville, Illinois forever- I would have never had the opportunity to learn about racism and the motivations behind it. I guess I've learned from this course that I have led a very sheltered life so far. But because of the courses that I've chosen to enroll in here, I have been exposed to so much.
I agree, I do think that it was a PR move to not include these stories in the tours. I think that most people only hear romanticized stories about these times in our past. Being from Nashville I can drive 15 minutes in any direction and find a plantation, but I only hear the stories of the war hospitals they were turned into, or how beautiful the architecture is. Because of this we are slowly erasing black history, and turning it into something we skim over in these stories, or narrow down to a chapter or two in history class.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it these stops were not on the original campus tour, I think that they should be offered to students who come to the university as a way to show that we are learning from our past so that we won't repeat it. By learning about theses stops on our campus it can show how much we have grown, and how much we are committed to continue to grow.
The tour I have actually taken before with Dr.Green. and half of the information had me so upset that I questioned my enrollment at the University. I felt as if the information had been kept from me or hidden. When you take an initial campus tour, the tour guides paint this picture of a campus that has always been welcoming of all minorities. I believe if the University discussed its history good and bad then that would make them stand a part from other PWI's. The acknowledgement of the campus' history would mean so much to me and many other people. The ignoring of the negative history is what I have a problem with.
ReplyDeleteAs you said Scott, I think just like in Hoelscher's 'Making Place, Making Race' the white elite in Natchez, Missisippi had the privilege to define history due to their status and power. If people in power at the University of Alabama were people of color, I think undoubtably our image would change. Our campus tours would no longer glorify civil war cites on campus, but more so recognize the diverse history; actually acknowledge that parts of the campus were built with slave labor. It is clear who controls the power when you see the images and values that Alabama prides itself on. We have buildings named after Confederate leaders and known racists. We value 'tradition.' Since I moved here for school, I've seen many people use tradition as an excuse to argue theyr're not being racist. It seems tradition has been used to defend segregation at UA forever.
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ReplyDeleteBut is this campus really making an effort to eliminate diversity? I don't think so. Sure, there is some progress -- but not much. The tour was just one eye - opener to some of this nasty history that our campus endulged in and now it is hardly even recognized to visitors and even students. Most people don't know about how all their halls are named after slave owners or the huts around the presidents mansion were really slave quarters. This should be publically embraced as our history because it is and instead it is ignored.
ReplyDeleteI think our actions on eliminating racism by students is directly proportional to the actions on eliminating racism by campus officals who are choosing to hide our history of racial cruelty. As an advertising major, I get that they can't really paint this rainbow and butterflies picture of slavery and still market the university, but it doesn't cover the misinterpretation a lot of students are recieving. Some people on the tour said they wouldn't have went here if they knew half the information they knew now. That's huge and definitely something to think about.