Fascinating story. It's a reminder of how history is intentionally voided, rewritten or erased. A phenomenon we are sadly seeing played out in our own time.
If you mentioned this, I missed it, but hat is the name of the Tennyson poem?
Thanks for the link. I googled “Tennyson” and “mariners” and nothing remotely likely came up. (Which shows the limits of google, as much as anything). Looking forward to reading this poem.
Definitely, Robin. In researching Black history where I live, I came across several stories of formerly enslaved Black people, dismissively referred to as "Aunt" or "Uncle," seeking and finding loved ones, written in a celebratory, happy tone. I appreciated Dr. Giesberg connecting the dots in showing how this was an intentional attempt to, as you say, "void, rewrite, or erase" the horrors of slavery and further the Lost Cause narrative.
Of course, this turning of the narrative upside down is not limited to the history of race in America. It happens wherever those in power--or formerly in power--are threatened. It is happening now in this country with the demonization of immigrant communities.
It's such an old story--time for it to be over. But first, we have to dig up the truth about the past, and you are doing exactly that.
I totally agree. But I also think that race is so heavily baked into the foundation of this country, it underlies many of the reasons why those in power feel threatened. It is part of the horrible demonization of immigrant communities ... So true about it needing to be over and understanding the past ... Thank you so much for your support of my work.
This is such a compelling interview. Thank you for choosing yet another book that demonstrates the depth and breadth of our American history. Brilliant!
I'm so glad that you found it compelling, Anita. I love discovering and reading these books that uncover history I never learned. If only I could read and interview faster! Anyway, Dr. Giesberg's book was compelling, too. Thanks so much for the compliments and for listening!
Indeed, it sounds like a fascinating and compelling book. I plan to buy it and add it to the stack of other new/some now old books I hope to get to😊. I will search her data base as well. Again, thank you for bringing this compelling piece of history to light.
LOL. Yeah, I totally understand. I love buying new books and adding them to my To Be Read stack. 😀 You have recommended many that I hope to get to ... My pleasure. Thanks, again, for listening!
Thank you for this fascinating interview. You and Dr. Giesberg have whetted my appetite for *Last Seen*. What a fantastic project for a book and a digital archive.
You're very welcome, Tara. Thank you so much for listening! If you decide to read it, do let me know what you think. I, too, think the work that Dr. Giesberg is doing is fantastic.
Fascinating story. It's a reminder of how history is intentionally voided, rewritten or erased. A phenomenon we are sadly seeing played out in our own time.
If you mentioned this, I missed it, but hat is the name of the Tennyson poem?
I also found a version that is easier to read in book form, since it is long: https://allpoetry.com/Enoch-Arden
Thanks for the link. I googled “Tennyson” and “mariners” and nothing remotely likely came up. (Which shows the limits of google, as much as anything). Looking forward to reading this poem.
You're welcome. It is a bit long …
Definitely, Robin. In researching Black history where I live, I came across several stories of formerly enslaved Black people, dismissively referred to as "Aunt" or "Uncle," seeking and finding loved ones, written in a celebratory, happy tone. I appreciated Dr. Giesberg connecting the dots in showing how this was an intentional attempt to, as you say, "void, rewrite, or erase" the horrors of slavery and further the Lost Cause narrative.
Regarding the Tennyson poem, it is Enoch Arden. Here's a link to Tennyson's original version that I found: https://archive.org/details/enocharden00tennuoft/page/5/mode/2up
Of course, this turning of the narrative upside down is not limited to the history of race in America. It happens wherever those in power--or formerly in power--are threatened. It is happening now in this country with the demonization of immigrant communities.
It's such an old story--time for it to be over. But first, we have to dig up the truth about the past, and you are doing exactly that.
Thank you.
I totally agree. But I also think that race is so heavily baked into the foundation of this country, it underlies many of the reasons why those in power feel threatened. It is part of the horrible demonization of immigrant communities ... So true about it needing to be over and understanding the past ... Thank you so much for your support of my work.
This is such a compelling interview. Thank you for choosing yet another book that demonstrates the depth and breadth of our American history. Brilliant!
I'm so glad that you found it compelling, Anita. I love discovering and reading these books that uncover history I never learned. If only I could read and interview faster! Anyway, Dr. Giesberg's book was compelling, too. Thanks so much for the compliments and for listening!
Indeed, it sounds like a fascinating and compelling book. I plan to buy it and add it to the stack of other new/some now old books I hope to get to😊. I will search her data base as well. Again, thank you for bringing this compelling piece of history to light.
LOL. Yeah, I totally understand. I love buying new books and adding them to my To Be Read stack. 😀 You have recommended many that I hope to get to ... My pleasure. Thanks, again, for listening!
Thank you for this fascinating interview. You and Dr. Giesberg have whetted my appetite for *Last Seen*. What a fantastic project for a book and a digital archive.
You're very welcome, Tara. Thank you so much for listening! If you decide to read it, do let me know what you think. I, too, think the work that Dr. Giesberg is doing is fantastic.