Public History sites, such as museums, monuments, and memorials, have become a big part of American History and culture. They preserve, interpret, and project history and memories to the American public, who largely do not attend a history class after high school. They are sometimes the only knowledge of history some people get. These places are not only educational places but also places of political and cultural backlash. Public history sites have lots of severe issues because the museum staff follow the popular culture and do not want to offend the mass. These issues are what caused great political debates such as the fight over civil war monuments. Most of the civil war monuments were made and placed in the south. These monuments were …show more content…
It should all be uniform form memorials to museums. For example, Abraham Lincoln's assassination sites is a bigger deal than the other presidents like Garfield or McKinley. The average American citizen does not really know much about McKinley or Garfield, so they do not go looking for their assassination markers. So, even if they go looking for the plaques that commemorate the deaths of McKinley of Garfield, they have a challenging time finding them. For McKinley gets a "simple maker of his assassination on a residential street in Buffalo." Or Garfield who has some sites, "most of which are either unmarked or torn down." While Abraham Lincoln has the theater in which he was killed in, somethings in other museums across the country, including the Smithsonian, all in which masses of people visit yearly. The public probably has and will interpret that the death of Abraham Lincoln is more, just because he has more sites, museums, and other stuff commemorating him. Instead of the fact that all three of these men were assassinated all should have the same recognition. Whether that means, make all three sites have a museum remembering the attack with artifacts, or take down all the unnecessary stuff at Abraham Lincoln assassination site and just give him a
America’s history-both good and bad-has much to teach us. Taking down, destroying these monuments is erasing, rewriting the physical symbols of the nation. This type of cultural whitewashing is inglorious. We can treat these monuments as a cautionary tool to remind ourselves what we are and what we are not. The cost forebears paid for the freedom of the nation should be remembered; therefore, people should retain these statues to remind of themselves what these monuments represent.
History has a strange way of coming back around when it comes to human civilization. It has been said repeatedly that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. However, just because there is a potential for danger in the future, this does not mean that humanity must ignore what once was. History is normally remembered through what is known as a memorial. When a memorial is put into a physical representation, it is then known as a monument.The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument's size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past. Examples of such feats are the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and even Mount Rushmore. For the latter of the
A contributing factor that agencies and groups should consider when building a monument is the purpose. When Maya Lin, an architect, was planning to design the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, she believed that "the use of names was a way to bring back everything someone could remember about a person" (Source G). Lin decided to choose names rather than photos or pictures because visual arts will not be able to describe what every veteran has done during the war. She wanted to commemorate every single soldier that fought during the war rather than leave mere glimpses of the war. However, other times the purpose is clouded like it was on Lincoln's memorial: "Why make a pilgrimage to a site with no historical significance to read a text that was already everywhere? The answer is simple: the monument manufactures its own aura" (Source A). Parts of the Gettysburg address was reproduced onto the monument, however, the purpose is to remind others about Lincoln's achievements. By bringing in the most important aspects of the Gettysburg address, the people who visit ...
Not only are military heroes buried at Arlington, but memorials have also been built to honor others who have given their lives for America. The memorials that are located throughout Arlington tell a story about people throughout American history (Reef 43). Each year families walk the endless rows of white head stones at Arlington in order to pay their respects to the ones that have given their lives for America.
The design of a memorial needs to be intriguing, representative, and appropriate for it's environment. Creating a memorial that is tasteful and intriguing will help draw people towards it. When designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Maya Lin decided that the memorial should be only the names of the veterans, and that there was, "no need to embellish the design further"(Source G). Lin also chose black granite to construct the memorial. The surface of the granite was intriguing, reflective, and peaceful. Instead of names, speeches were carved into the Lincoln Memorial(Source A). The Lincoln Memorial is said to only be representative of Abraham Lincoln. The memorial is composed of, "a colossal marble statue and the text of two speeches carved on enormous panels, all housed in a neoclassic temple" (Source A). The memorial is not paying homage to a deep sacrifice, it is entirely representing the greatness of Lincoln. Along with the Lincoln Memorial, the monument of Christopher Columbus in Riverside Park, Easton, Pennsylvania, is another memorial which is representative(Source B). In the statue of Columbus, he is posed heroically. This stance is to represent the heroism and courage Columbus displayed when founding America. Another memorial that has a breathtaking design is the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.(Source E). Placing the museum on The Mall in Washington, D.C., the
Washington, DC is a spectacular place. This being my first time in DC, I was in awe of everything and all the historical places I encountered. The presence of the monuments and history is what made the capitol so magnificent. Having only read about the Lincoln memorial, I never had the chance to experience the sensation of being inside such an honorable place of importance. The imposing white marble walls of the memorial and the many people surrounding it could be seen from afar. Arriving at the location, an unknown feeling came over me. I was experiencing history in a whole different level. When I think about a memorial, the term remembrance comes to mind. Seeing the statue of Abraham Lincoln brought pieces of memories from history class and evoked thoughts of what it might have felt like to be in his shoes. I was astonished by the statue’s enormousness and how grand Abraham Lincoln looked in his chair. The size of the statue compared to pictures from books and elsewhere was surreal. Abraham Lincoln was a very “powerful and prominent individual” in the history of our nation, the statue’s design and size reflected upon that. Looking around me, I wanted to know what the others thoughts were on seeing his statue and how they felt in that building. I finally had the courage to ask one or two people what they thought; they all had the same appreciation as me. Hearing about an important person or learning about them in a history book gives you vast knowledge but it doesn’t evoke the feeling of utter appreciation as the memorial does. When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, many people wanted to build a memorial in honor of him. They wanted to be able to show how important he was to shaping our nation and to “honor his existence”. Ce...
How should we honor history? Where should we stand in the debate over memorials? These the questions that float to the surface when Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina signed a bill into law that ordered the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol grounds. Michael I. Niman author of As Confederate Flags Fall, Columbus Statues Stand Tall and Ernest B. Ferguson author of The End of History write regarding the question, what decisions should be taken against the offending statues and memorials that remain across the United States. Niman believes all offending statues should be removed, but I believe Ferguson idea is much better, we need to have dialogue for a better solution.
The document Declaration of Independence signed July 4, the year 1776 and written by one of the country’s ancestors Thomas Jefferson. It was a time in history that declared independence a manuscript written for this occasion which introduces five separate sections that include the introduction which states it is vital to take action on Britain for the colonies.
This is essential in making sure that the monument is appropriate. For example, Source A cites, “In the context of the Lincoln Memorial, the Gettysburg Address ceases to be a mere ‘mechanical reproduction’ and becomes a treasure-piece by virtue of its hand carving in stone, at large scale, in a sequestered space, distinguished by lavish materials and aesthetic refinement.” This quote is relevant in light of an excerpt from Source A’s introduction, which reads, “[T]he public monument speaks to a deep need for attachment that can be met only in a real place, where the imagined community actually materializes and the existence of the nation is confirmed in a simple but powerful way. The experience is not exactly in the realm of imagination or reason, but grounded in the felt connection of individual to collective body.” In this context, these quotes support my claim because the lavish manifestation of the Lincoln Memorial adds emphasis to the Gettysburg Address and represents its significance.
The epic poem, Beowulf, a work of fiction, offers more insight into Ancient Anglo-Saxon English culture than the work of Bede, who wrote, A History of the English Church and People. The epic poem Beowulf gives an enhanced illustration and clearer understanding of the culture of the Ancient Anglo-Saxon’s. The epic poem gives the audience a picture of what the Ancient Anglo-Saxon English valued; seafaring, warriors, heroes, and paganism.
Remembrance and reverence to those who fought in one of the bloodiest wars in United States’ history are offered through Confederate monuments and namesakes. The removal of Confederate monuments and names of schools brings in a whitewashing of the American past. Citizens learn from the past, and if it is erased the lessons to be learned are lost along with it. Americans should constantly be
Fallacies Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the reasoning of your argument. Fallacies have different types like Begging the Claim, Ad hominem, Straw Man and more. and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim. A writer or speaker should avoid these common fallacies in their arguments and watch for them in the arguments of others. Learning to identify and avoid fallacies is crucial for professionals in all fields of life, literature, science, politics, etc.
Every person has wondered about something - whether it be a person, place, thing, law, or anything that someone can think about. They ask questions both rhetorical and actual to themselves, and usually make it a mission to answer these questions. Some of the biggest questions have something to do with culture and religion. One of the most major questions of all time - to what extent does an individual have control over the outcome of his or her life? There are many different opinions on this topic.
““Well, they had a point. You are fat and disgusting!” The therapist announced. Patricia was sobbing, eyes red and nose runny...“Come on… Let’s go. We aren’t putting up with that!” her father...opened the door and ushered the family through. The therapist just observed and no more was heard from him…[Her nervous breakdown] was a result of long term bullying leading to an episode of being run out of school by a gang of boys. They threatened to kill her with a crowbar, sticks and wooden planks. She felt like a hunted fox” (shazwellyn.hubpages.com). No matter how hard a parent might try to help their child, whether they’re being bullied or are the bully, the consequences should not fall on the people who raise them because the victims have to do what they can to make up for what they’ve done or what they’ve suffered. The city of Monona, Wisconsin has proposed a new law that tickets and fines the parents for failing to respond properly to their child’s poor behavior. A behavioral and personal change consulting specialist, Mr. Michael Harmann, hypothesized that bullying behavior is typically an effort to cover up the bully's own vulnerability. It's a primitive mindset that wants to make you pay when you show vulnerability and since bullying mostly occurs under the legal age, that’s enough to say that higher levels of authority don’t have control over the thoughts and actions that bullies use as an outlet for their own pain because it goes against the Constitution. The key to helping the children we feel so sorry for is to heal the bully before he turns into a monster and the only way to help the perpetrator is to make him face his motivation to bully. “If you think about it, a great strategy to avoid being rejected is to reject everyon...
What makes a good person good? According to WikiHow, "We should learn to define our own morals ourselves. One of the simplest ways to do so is to love others, and treat them as you would like to be treated. Try to think of others before yourself. Even doing small things daily will greatly enrich and improve your life, and the lives of others around you." This quote shows us what we need to do in order to be what society thinks as, “good". In order to be a good person, you have to do good and moral things in your society consistently. However people might think that by doing one good thing once in a while will automatically make you a “good person”, but in reality it doesn’t.