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A "student" blog about St. Mary's College of Maryland
Showing posts with label Lecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lecture. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Friday, September 23, 2011
Lecture: Imagining Slaves as Loyal Confederates
Myself and some history bros (Stephen and Sarah!) attended the lecture at St. Mary's Hall given by Dr. Peter Carmichael (dude is director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College, he is somewhat 'knowledgeable' about these things) titled Imagining Slaves as Loyal Confederates: A Dangerous and Enduring Fantasy. It was great!
The lecture was about a persistent myth that exists in much of the South, and other areas, that there were a lot of slaves that were loyal to the Confederate cause, that these slaves supported the Confederacy even though it was working to keep them enslaved.
Dr. Carmichael argues that the slaves were doing whatever it took to survive, and any 'loyalty' was mostly an attempt to not get lynched. Additionally, the myth is still perpetuated today because it helps to establish the notion that slaves wanted slavery, that they were better off being slaves, that they 'owe' something to the white slaveholders. One interesting anecdote was a Confederate officer whose slave 'got lost' while in Maryland. Obviously the slave ran away, but the officer was not able to really understand why a slave would want to run away and could only mentally justify it to himself that the slave merely got lost. It's a really interesting topic that I can't do justice to fully explain, but if you have any questions I can probably answer them.
I think in a lot of ways it is just another example of why slavery in the United States is often referred to as a "The Peculiar Institution," because there are so many strange facets of the system of slavery that occurred here compared to slavery in most any other society (the primary difference being that slavery was associated with skin color, which has rarely been the case throughout history).
Anyways, be sure to check out lectures that interest you! Years from now you probably won't have the opportunity to attend lectures like this, at least not as easily, so take advantage of that while you can.
Chuck Holden Introducing the speaker. They were BFFs in grad school and spent spring break in the Duke archives
The lecture was about a persistent myth that exists in much of the South, and other areas, that there were a lot of slaves that were loyal to the Confederate cause, that these slaves supported the Confederacy even though it was working to keep them enslaved.
Dr. Carmichael argues that the slaves were doing whatever it took to survive, and any 'loyalty' was mostly an attempt to not get lynched. Additionally, the myth is still perpetuated today because it helps to establish the notion that slaves wanted slavery, that they were better off being slaves, that they 'owe' something to the white slaveholders. One interesting anecdote was a Confederate officer whose slave 'got lost' while in Maryland. Obviously the slave ran away, but the officer was not able to really understand why a slave would want to run away and could only mentally justify it to himself that the slave merely got lost. It's a really interesting topic that I can't do justice to fully explain, but if you have any questions I can probably answer them.
Dr. Carmichael lecturing #swag
I think in a lot of ways it is just another example of why slavery in the United States is often referred to as a "The Peculiar Institution," because there are so many strange facets of the system of slavery that occurred here compared to slavery in most any other society (the primary difference being that slavery was associated with skin color, which has rarely been the case throughout history).
Anyways, be sure to check out lectures that interest you! Years from now you probably won't have the opportunity to attend lectures like this, at least not as easily, so take advantage of that while you can.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Mark Twain Lecture this Friday!
This Friday is the Mark Twain Lecture! Last year was a really awesome event, and this one should be also awesome. Come to the Michael P. O'Brien Athletics and Recreation Center at 8 to see senior black correspondent Larry Wilmore (via the Daily Show) talk about Twain!
Oh wow what a cool video that is up right above this text! Behold the future, wherein I can put a video on my bloggerin thing. Anyway Larry Wilmore is a funny dude. Probably not as funny as Mark Twain but w/e, he is alive and Twain isn't so he wins in that regard.
Anyways yall should check it out. You might get to see this celebrity IRL in SOMD at SMCM OMGWTFBBQ.
Oh wow what a cool video that is up right above this text! Behold the future, wherein I can put a video on my bloggerin thing. Anyway Larry Wilmore is a funny dude. Probably not as funny as Mark Twain but w/e, he is alive and Twain isn't so he wins in that regard.
Anyways yall should check it out. You might get to see this celebrity IRL in SOMD at SMCM OMGWTFBBQ.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Lecture: O’Malley & Ehrlich ROUND TWO
Went to the Thursday lecture titled “The O'Malley/Ehrlich Rematch and Maryland Political History” given by Professor Ted Sheckels. Really great lecture, talked about the political history of Maryland over the past few decades (which he was involved with at various points) and the patterns that have emerged in Maryland politics. Talked about how Mikulski is ‘Our Barb’ (via her name is Barbara) and everyone loves her and is really representative of Maryland (via still living in highlandtown and being a hon) which is why she always gets reelected.
Anyways back to the election, his main analysis was that it’ll come down to whoever can win Baltimore County, and to a lesser extent Harford and northern Anne Arrundel. I like his analysis since I am from the great Baltimore County. It’s a weird place because it definitely is very politically divided throughout the county in different areas (via people tear down O’Malley signs where I live [le sigh] but are all over the northern areas of the county).
Sheckels was a real cool guy, wish he taught here. Really cool that he’s actually an English professor, but just worked on a lot of campaigns in the 70s and is into Maryland politics.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wired for War
There is a sweet lecture coming up titled Wired for War, presented by Peter W. Singer. This guy knows a lot about modern warfare, and seems pretty damn smart. He was even called upon to help Obama figure out his defense policy stuff or something.I was reading about the book, and it really reminded me of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, because in the game there are lots of robot soldiers.. And then I realized THIS BOOK WAS IN MGS4 OMGZ. Like, they talk about this book in the game.
This real book was in the videogame Metal Gear Solid 4, which means it must be a really awesome book.
I am excited for this lecture.
I almost forgot to mention, this is Wednesday at 4:30 in St. Mary's Hall.
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