Alissa kane, middle tennessee state university
Proposal Type
Roundtable
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking Specific Expertise
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
Related Topics
- Digital
- Memory
- Place
Abstract
This presentation will focus on southern commemorative landscapes and the implications of building dominant symbols of collective memory on the physical landscape of communities. Any studies that focus on monuments in southern communities as well as broader trends in southern commemoration of the Civil War would fit well in this presentation. Specifically, my presentation will focus on the commemorative landscape of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Over the past year, I have been documenting historic markers and free-standing monuments within Murfreesboro, attempting to track down dedication dates, researching monument sponsorship, and have started analyzing why these groups chose to erect monuments to certain subjects or people.
Description
I am looking for co-presenters to supplement this roundtable discussion. Those that are interested in presenting on specific southern communities, or about the wider ideas and implications of southern commemorative practices would be ideal for this presentation. Since this is a roundtable discussion, the audience will take an active role. I believe that this presentation, if accepted, would generate a great deal of discussion and participation both from the audience and the presenters. One question I have is should this proposal be more focused, or should I keep it more widely based to encourage discussion on southern commemoration in general? Another question, is a roundtable the best way to explore this subject matter?
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Alissa Kane, [email protected]
All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 1, 2019. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Alissa, there were a few panels on monuments, commemoration, and their changing context in the 21st century at last year’s NCPH. I would take a look at the previous program and perhaps search the session number on twitter to see what kind of discussion they garnered and where you think the conversation should/could head moving forward. On Twitter look up: ncph2019 s55 and ncph2019 s24. At the 2016 American Historical Association (coincidentally held in Atlanta), the plenary was specifically focused on Confederate monuments. Unfortunately, I can’t find a recording of the plenary but here is a write up: https://www.historians.org/publications-and-directories/perspectives-on-history/january-2016/aha-plenary-the-confederacy-its-symbols-and-the-politics-of-public-culture-january-7-2016
I do especially like your title of the topic: not all southern monuments are Confederate, but still problematic. Keeping it broad by describing it as “monuments in southern communities” could potentially illicit more participation. I can’t help but think about Silent Sam at UNC and think someone from that institution or community would be a great, and timely, addition to this proposal. Perhaps Maya Little, the doctoral history candidate who was arrested for defacing the monument, could be contacted?
Hi Alissa, I agree with Rebecca’s insightful idea to review last year’s NCPH discussions on the topic to see what it raised, and where the conversation can be advanced. Since you are focusing on dominant symbols, I also encourage you to consider the role of activists, especially activists of color, in shaping, contesting and re-imaging these commemorative landscapes. #Take ‘Em Down Nola in New Orleans comes to mind since they were such an early and strong voice in these conversations. I am not sure which public historians are focusing specifically on activists and commemoration, but we included a brief discussion of the (often overlooked) history of black activism in a co-authored piece recently published in AAM’s Museum magazine this past March/April called “Statues of Limitations.” I’m happy to share a copy with you. Activism within these landscapes should be an essential part of these discussions. I hope you can include these perspectives!
This seems like a wonderful panel. I suggest getting in touch with Thavolia Glymph at Duke. Thavolia has been a central figure in many discussions around memorialization and would have a lot to offer to this panel, including a sense of many other important members of the activist community.
Thank you for the suggestion Ari. I sent Thavolia an email today, and unfortunately she is unable to take part in this session.
Perhaps discussing the issue within an international context would enrich the topic proposal. What particularly comes to mind is how a post-Communist Hungary handled their communist-era statues–a statue farm where statues are literally put to pasture. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/memento-park-budapest-hungary/index.html