6-11-10
June 12, 2010
Today was a great day. The New York Historical Society visit was very interesting and though-provoking. To begin, I did not know that the 1834 Abolition Riots (4 days) were the largest civil insurrection in U.S. History.
We also discussed the 1820′s rise of the African-American Middle Class- something that I was remise in teaching when discussing slavery. The New York African Society for Mutual Relief as also interesting. I sometimes discuss benevolent societies, but I did not know this type of society existed.
The slave badges in the display were disconcerting. I did not know of them, but I see the necessity in a state where there were free and enslaved African Americans. It made me think about the Holocaust’s Star of David.
It was also interesting to see the 1863 Draft Wheel, and to be reminded of the Draft Riots. It still is not the rich that fight our wars today.
The commode chair was also interesting. It powerfully illustrated one of the many dehumanizing aspects of slavery.
Another interesting artifact I came upon was a anti-prohibition metal hatchet. It said “All nations welcome except Carrie” and had her likeness in the head of the hatchet.
The importance of cotton to New York was also enlightening. I would have assumed molasses and rum would have been more important. The property restriction on voting was also enlightening. I teach about poll taxes and literacy tests often, but now I will include the property restrictions.
The Arrest and Trial of Dixon was a great activity. I hope to use it in my I.B. classes.
The Museum of Natural History was also great. The Slavery and Serfdom in Africa exhibit went hand-in-hand with what I teach. They said African slavery was more like serfdom (and I teach that African slavery (and most slavery) was not hereditary or based on skin color) which I believe as a way to word it that will help students understand the difference form chattel slavery. The exhibit eloquently stated that slaves in Africa were “put to work and gradually could secure for themselves and their descendents a full and honorable place in society.” The Mexico and Central American exhibit was also interesting.
Finally I went to a Yankee game, which is intertwined with the history of New York City. What a great experience.
Ray,
I agree with you on the African slavery display…it was well done. Like you also talk about this in class and kids understand pretty well the differences between chattel slavery and this. It was cool to see the parallels to some of the studd we talked about in our class with Dr. Montoya–that slavery in Africa was similar in many repsects to slavery in the Southwest and how it served other purposes than just labor (i.e. kinship, enhancing trade, etc.). I know this was a powerful display for you, my friend, as you are committed to teaching this to your students.
You are right that much of the slave trade in Africa prior to European intervention was similar to the Southwest slave trade that we learned about in Dr. Montoya’s class. I do believe the visit to this exhibit in the Museum of Natural History, and the African Burial Ground, have done a lot to make me think about how I teach slavery. Even though I do not teach much about it in U.S. History II (if they don’t take it away from me this coming school year), I do teach about slavery in my American Government and Sociology classes, as well as in I.B.’s History of the Americas. Hopefully this trip will help me expand what I teach in I.B. History of the Americas regarding slavery (and the Dutch), as I need to move forward in time regarding what I cover. They possibly want me to cover up the U.S. Civil War timeframe. Also, I will incorporate some of the African Burial Ground information and the Tenement House Museum into my U.S. History II.
Sorry, my spelling is terrible this morning…
I was also unaware that cotton was so important to the economy of The North; I knew of its importance to The South. The South produced many of the materials needed for The North to be the industrial region it became, but I was under the impression they could get cloth cheaper from England. I now realize there is a huge economic connection between the cotton kingdom of The South and the garment district of New York – perhaps not always an advantage for the people of each region.