Slavery and Justice

In 2003, Brown University appointed a commission to investigate the links between the university and slavery in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was one of the first institutions to do this, and naturally, it stirred up a lot of controversy. One aim of the investigation was to increase awareness of slavery, and to organise public programmes for students and non-academics alike to recognise the impact of the ‘peculiar institution’. James Campbell, one of the committee members, believed that it was an “obligation” of the university to understand and acknowledge the history of slavery, particularly in Rhode Island where the slave trade was thought to have had little impact.

Their findings were interesting. Brown University had many links with the slave trade – African American slaves were hired to work on the buildings, many of which were built with the profits of merchants investing in the trade. Abolitionists were also connected to the university, as some members of the Brown family were supportive of the American Anti-Slavery Society, which caused massive tension with others who were not keen on this new organisation.

Critics of the report kicked up a storm about the issue of reparations, something that Brown rigorously denied as ever having been an intention of the committee. Some corners of the media also accused the university of starting a race war, which is indicative of how a lot of Americans are reluctant to confront their past.

This report is nothing new of course, but I think it’s an excellent example of public history, and one that should be repeated here in Britain. While cities like Bristol and Liverpool have acknowledged their role in the slave trade, more should be done to acknowledge this history. James Campbell hit the nail on the head when he argued that the report, and hopefully others like it, was not only an acknowledgement of the past, but a new journey for public history – controversial issues should be openly discussed, and society should learn about the positive and negative periods in their history.

Last veteran of WW1 dies

This week, the last veteran of the First World War died at 110. Florence Green served in the Royal Air Force 93 years ago, joining in 1918 when she was just 17. Mrs Green was the last surviving veteran in the WORLD, after the death of Claude Choules in Australia last year. According to her daughter, Mrs Green would serve the pilots breakfast and dinner, and work round the clock on airfield bases across the country. She also spent a lot of time “admiring the pilots”. It’s a shame I didn’t meet this lady. Although she never saw action, the definition of a veteran includes all those who served in the Armed Forces, something, I think, that should have been highlighted by the news.

Her death signals the last connection we had to the Great War. Arguably, it’s now more important to remember those who served in the Armed Forces, and honour their memory by refusing to forget the sacrifice thousands of men and women made for their country, across the world. This was a passing of the generation, and now we have no living link to the First World War. More people must know about this conflict, as it remains largely absent from the National Curriculum. It plays a huge role in our consciousness – in Britain, every small village, town or city has a monument to the men and women who died in the Great War. Through our Remembrance Day celebrations, especially this year, we must remember all the men and women who fought, regardless of religion or nationality and keep their history alive.

Harry Potter's London

Last year I finished another Rama walking tour, this time focusing on Harry Potter film locations in London. This basically combined my two ultimate favourite things – history and Harry Potter, so I very much enjoyed writing it!! 

The statistics for Harry Potter are just phenomenal - the books have sold over 450 million copies (in seventy languages, including latin), and the films have grossed over £4 billion worldwide. Millions of people adore the books and the films, so this was a great opportunity to get people talking about Harry Potter in London, as well as the history behind some of the locations.

The tour starts at Kings’ Cross, the departure point for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…though the real station has some great history. Some believe the ghost of Boudicca haunts the station, as the site of her last battle is located near King’s Cross. St. Pancras station, recently renovated, is a beautiful sight next to King’s Cross – used as the facade for King's Cross in the films, it was known as the ‘cathedral of the railways’ when it was built. St. Pancras refers to a church dedicated to a young Roman boy who was executed for being a Christian. The tour also includes a walk along my favourite stretch of London: Southbank to Tower Bridge. St. Paul’s, the Globe, Tower Bridge, what more do you want? I never get tired of seeing St. Paul’s, and my favourite thing about it is the architect, Sir Christopher Wren. When the original church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, Wren, who chose the symbol rising from the ashes to symbolise London’s regeneration, redesigned the church, finishing it in 1711. Wren is buried in the church, and an inscription states “reader, if you seek a memorial, look around you.”

Follow the tour on twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/Harrys_London

“When I die, London will be forever engraved on my heart”.

Survival is the Best Form of Revenge

I came across this INCREDIBLE letter the other day. After emancipation, a plantation owner wrote to his former slave, Jourdon Anderson, ordering him to return to his farm to work. Anderson, who had by this time had settled in Ohio, wrote this in reply:

"Sir: I got your letter and was glad to find you had not forgotten Jourdan, and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again, promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose they never heard about your going to Col. Martin's to kill the Union soldier that was left by his company in their stable. Although you shot at me twice before I left you, I did not want to hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living...

As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free-papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-General of the Department at Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you are sincerely disposed to treat us justly and kindlyand we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for thirty-two years and Mandy twenty years. At $25 a month for me, and $2 a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to $11,680. Add to this the interest for the time our wages has been kept back and deduct what you paid for our clothing and three doctor's visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams Express, in care of V. Winters, esq, Dayton, Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past we can have little faith in your promises in the future.

P.S.—Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.”

AMAZING

Oral History and the Internet

As mentioned in an earlier post, the value of oral history cannot be denied. It’s an excellent resource that reminds us that history is about people; individual memories are essential to learning about the past. One way of returning the testimony to the community from whence it came is to display the interview on the Internet. Some historians are wary of the Internet, for many websites are incomplete in regards to interviewee permission and contextualising the interview itself. Others need to be properly protected against illegal downloading. However, historian Donald Ritchie hits the nail on the head when he argues that dismissing the Internet will result in the subject being “ignored by the next generation of researchers.” Others such as Michael Frisch have pointed to the renewed importance of the voice in oral history – it can be heard or watched in video with ease on the Internet. New technology also allows us to download interviews on our phones, iPods, and personal computers. Oral history on the Internet creates a permanent location that is publicly available and accessible to all. This would mean a very successful bridge between oral, public and academic history.

Check out the links below for oral history on the Internet, ranging from exhibitions to television programmes:

http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/ - the Ken Burns’ series Prohibition includes oral interviews, some of which are displayed on this site. There is also a section called “Share your stories”, inviting the audience to post their own memories of the era.

http://www.ushmm.org/research/collections/oralhistory/ - The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website includes oral testimonies from the survivors.

http://www.thecornershopproject.co.uk/oral_history.html - English Heritage and Oral history combine for the Corner Shop Project, a history of the British high street since 1950.

The Chilling Echo of Church Bells...

After a rather intensive few days learning how to make, put 

together and edit sound clips, I have to create a 'mock' radio programme for a university project. I really enjoyed it, as we had to make a short audio guide of Royal Holloway, and the college does have a fascinating history. I've chosen to do my programme on Newgate Prison, and one famous criminal in particular, Jack Sheppard.

I've described Jack Sheppard's life in an earlier post, but I'm thinking of following his last journey from Newgate Prison to the gallows at Tyburn, near present-day Marble Arch. Along the way, one church in particular played an important role in this gruesome ritual. Opposite the Old Bailey (where Newgate Prison once stood), is the Church of St Sepulchre, one of the largest churches in the city. Because of its proximity to the ancient prison, a chaplain was often sent to convince prisoners to repent their sins. Occasionally, he would ride with prisoners to the gallows, giving comfort and praying for them on their last day on Earth. The night before their execution however, the chaplain would travel via a tunnel from the church to the prison, reciting this chilling verse against the sound of a bell striking midnight:

“All you that in the condemned hold do lie,
Prepare you, for tomorrow you will die.
Watch all, and pray, the hour is drawing near
That you before the Almighty must appear
Examine well yourselves, in time repent.
That you may not eternal flames be sent;
And when St Sepulchre’s bell tomorrow tolls,
The Lord have mercy on your souls!”

In the morning, the prisoners were taken past the church and the chaplain blessed them, reciting "Lord have mercy upon your soul." This verse can still be seen inside the church today, but it is also commemorated in the children’s nursery rhyme, ‘Oranges and Lemons’.

I went to the church today to interview one of the administrators, a lovely and helpful woman who gave me some great information for the programme. But I cannot express my excitement at seeing the ACTUAL bell that the chaplain used, or the space where the tunnel used to be. This is why I love history, I get so passionate about little things like this that its actually indescribable. To think this was the real bell they used...SO EXCITING!!

The church also has a huge stained glass window dedicated to John Smith, one of the Governors of Virginia. Yes, that guy who fell in love with Pocahontas in the hugely inaccurate but awesome Disney movie. Smith is buried at the church.

Definitely worth a visit.

(pic from wikipedia - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/NewgateExecutionBell.jpg)