I am wrapping up day two of my summer seminar. In a word, all I can say is WOW. I am learning so much, and appreciating things more and more. Some things I have learned in no order:
1. Being a white southerner is a burden. Many people (myself included) assume they are racist. Just because you are born in a region doesn't mean that.
2. We northerners will be way more open with comments. Southerners don't dare say anything that might be misconstrued as being racist.
3. Virgina is beautiful. The trees and greenery is amazing!
4. Rivers are used for recreation like our lakes are.
5. We went to two plantations today. They were gorgeous. When asking the tour guides about slave quarters at two separate sites, they both barely answered our question. That was shocking as the slaves were their number one source of revenue.
6. We toured the Henricus settlement. It was the second American settlement after Jamestown and very successful.
7. I now know what a tobacco plant looks like.
8. I have done a poor job (in my opinion) in explaining early American history in terms of everything.
9. Okay this one is crazy. Did you know that the pineapple is the southern symbol for hospitality? Seriously what???? Yes it is even on the roof of plantations as a sign of welcoming everyone.
10. I was at the plantation (and also a site of a major Civil War battle) where the tune Taps was created.
Okay that's about it for now. I desperately miss my family. I even shed a few tears last night over them. Kate lost her other front tooth and I got teary when Thad send me the picture. Ahh I am lame. But, I know this is such a good experience for me. Experiencing history is far more enriching than reading about it.
4 comments:
ooo, ooo, ooo--- I knew the one about the pineapple!!
Glad you're having a good time on your trip, Bonnie.
Wow, you really are learning a ton of stuff. I hope there is a part of you that is really proud of yourself for going out of your comfort zone and doing this, even though you miss your family.
I hear what you're saying, but those old timers are pretty racist. Just sayin.
I am sooooo jealous. I LOVE history, it was my favorite subject, and I still read when I can about it. The south is so intriguing and it sounds like you learned a lot. It is going to be fun some day when you are teaching our boys and telling me EVERYTHING about what they are up to. :)
Post a Comment