I grew up not too far from Hannibal and, as a child, was fascinated to know (as I was reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and later, ...of Huck Finn,) that much of the setting and story was "real," (and that I'd been there on my school field trip!)
In high school English, and then again in college in an American Lit class, I was fascinated on a new level when the instructors helped draw connections between what was happening in American history, etc.
All of this is to say, those two books were seminal in my upbringing - and I love learning any and all things about Twain - and yet I had never stopped to (truly) ponder the presence of a Black community or presence in Hannibal. Your mention of that 1934 sign really hit me- not just because of its content, but that it was the first public acknowledgement of Black life there!
I love knowing that this museum and this new book exist.
Thank you for educating me (and others), Rachelle!
Surprisingly, despite being familiar with the book/plot lines, I don't remember ever reading Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer in school. Doesn't mean I didn't, since not many books I read in school come to mind. Probsnly an age thing. 😊
But I do remember that the connections between Black Americans--and BIPOC in general--in book plots, American history, math, or any subject, never came up or if they did, it was never favorable or was distorted.
I never knew you grew up close to Hannibal. Thank you for sharing you experiences and thoughts to my post! I highly recommend the book and the museum the next time you are in Hannibal.
I grew up not too far from Hannibal and, as a child, was fascinated to know (as I was reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and later, ...of Huck Finn,) that much of the setting and story was "real," (and that I'd been there on my school field trip!)
In high school English, and then again in college in an American Lit class, I was fascinated on a new level when the instructors helped draw connections between what was happening in American history, etc.
All of this is to say, those two books were seminal in my upbringing - and I love learning any and all things about Twain - and yet I had never stopped to (truly) ponder the presence of a Black community or presence in Hannibal. Your mention of that 1934 sign really hit me- not just because of its content, but that it was the first public acknowledgement of Black life there!
I love knowing that this museum and this new book exist.
Thank you for educating me (and others), Rachelle!
Surprisingly, despite being familiar with the book/plot lines, I don't remember ever reading Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer in school. Doesn't mean I didn't, since not many books I read in school come to mind. Probsnly an age thing. 😊
But I do remember that the connections between Black Americans--and BIPOC in general--in book plots, American history, math, or any subject, never came up or if they did, it was never favorable or was distorted.
I never knew you grew up close to Hannibal. Thank you for sharing you experiences and thoughts to my post! I highly recommend the book and the museum the next time you are in Hannibal.
Thank you, Bob!
Thank you, Bob!