The assignment Virtual Field Trip: Pre-1492 was by far my favorite assignment thus far. I think I put too much emotion into learning about early American History. I have a problem with understanding why things were the way they were and only found slight relief towards the end of my studies. I’m glad to understand we put much of the problems to an end but the process of growth is horrible. The great thing that keeps my spirit up is that we study history as to not repeat it.
With that said, The Virtual Field Trip: Pre – 1492 was interesting and informative. I choose to take a trip to the Viking Voyages and the history behind the Vikings. There was a lot of history that people, including myself, believed but was debunked. During the Viking Age, which lasted between A.D 750 and 1050, the Vikings traveled great distances and cover much of the Atlantic Sea, and other seas. During this time the Vikings would discover America – Yup! And 500 years before Christopher Columbus! One fact that really fascinated me was that the Vikings never really did wear horned helmets. This is a common myth and learning the true was mind blowing. I also was shocked to learn that they weren’t as horrible of people as common myth would suggest. They defiantly weren’t angels but they weren’t as bad to the extent that people communing believe. I love that they managed to create a live out of traveling the seas and adapted to this lifestyle. They had many distant offerings to the new lands they would claim and they would bring back new discoveries from the lands they found too. Early history of the Vikings provided false ideas about them and it wasn’t until later, when science got better (such as being about to study samples of ice-cores, and such), that we would have a better understanding about the Vikings and what really went down.
I’m very happy to have learned some truths to the Vikings and feel blessed to be left in awe of the great body of people that sailed the sea.
Virtual Field Trip: Pre - 1492
Document Interpretation 2: Calcuus of Slavery
The Document Interpretation 2: Calculus of Slavery was the beginning of my deep understanding that American History is worse than I thought. I knew slavery existed but ignorance is bliss. This Document Interpretation explored “servants,” the pretty word for slaves but for people who weren’t black. They were promised a better life and this makes me ill to think about the horrors people signed themselves up for not know the mess they’re getting themselves in. This was during the 1600’s, a sad, grime time for anyone who wasn’t free. I did like reading about this topic in the sense of finding out about my countries history. But, on the flip side, I kind of wish I would have never found out. It’s a tough subject and I can’t come to a final decision about how I feel from learning the depth of it. I probably never will. This Document Interpretation was about a letter that Richard Frethorne wrote to his family about the horrors of his agreement and he begs to go back home. There were so many red flags in this letter that could the macho-ist man to tears. The fact that they called them Indented Servants really sickened me. They were slaves – straight out. You can call it what you want but it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck…you get the idea.
I felt so back for the writer of this letter. Literally begging for hope. Raw, and pathetic. Just reflecting on this letter is bring tears to my eyes. I hate that the human race is naturally selfish and that slavery is a part of our history. I’ve stated this many times before and I will again: At least we can learn from our history.
When I first read this letter, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it, I remember putting myself in his position. Living in horrible conditions with the worse diet…I’m grateful. I’m so very grateful for the little bit that I have. Reading this ages my soul but I’m closer to wisdom because of it.
Document Interpretation 5: Moral Reform Movements
My last Reflection Paper has to be dedicated to Document Interpretation 5: Moral Reform Movements that I studied The Declaration of Sentiments, Seneca Falls Conference, of 1848. The Declaration of Sentiments was written by two amazing activists for the Women’s Rights Movement, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. This was a piece that sought, and did, to bring light to lack of women’s rights in the 1800’s. I love the back story behind how this paper was born in New York at the Seneca Falls Conference. The women were offended by the fact that they were not allowed to speak at the Anti-Slavery Convention in London. This was a direct reference to the Declaration of Independence and how they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
This assignment was so moving to me because it was a positive work that called for the advancement of women’s rights in many areas of the law (especially marriage but not limited to). As a gay man in a world that is barely learning to respect and give me rights I felt compelled to this study. Growing up as a activist for gay rights I see many of the same demands in both Declarations. I know that these two women paved the way for me to fight for my simple right to marry and not be discriminated against. I’m still driven by the fact that women would take no for an answer and kept on keeping on. This revolution is inspiring and empowering to the movement I’m currently fighting!
There’s also the love I have for this movement from a history point of view. This was long war that only came after the Anti-Slavery Movement gained power. We know of the injustice that women faced, sickening, not being able to vote, owning nothing in a marriage, not being about to work…the list goes on. I’m in love that women have their rights! They won! We see this today as they have equal rights to men. There is still a ways to go but seeing the progress, understanding the foundation, I’m confident in our future.
Final Thoughts
I have to say I really enjoyed this course. It was longer, felt longer then the eight weeks it was, but in this short amount of time I learn a great deal of American History. I went into this class and expected to enjoy it. I have a hard time finding subjects that interest me but I was surprised to learn that early American History was piece of history I would find moving and powerful. I did have weak moments during the course and I think it was because this is the first semester I’m taking that I also worked full time. I had no idea the struggles I would face. The reading was the most helpful but also the most time consuming. I would start to read and take breaks to reflect on what I was learning but found that I had no time to do this. I had to read the chapters as fast as I could and only reflect after I finished a chapter. The Document Interpretations, all of them, were super interesting. I didn’t find at any moment a point where I dreaded doing the assignment. Reading the responses to my post was equally interesting and insightful. Responding to others in the class was a great way expand my studying as I didn’t have time to read all the documents available.
Going through the hard times I never lost sight because in all the chapters there was struggle that was grander than mine. Reading about the slaves, the wars, and the injustices, all of it helped in some way to keep me going. Plus, I wanted to defeat the ignorance of my countries history that I had. What I learned, though, is don’t work full time and go to school full time. It’s possible but miserable. I know I could have done a hundred times better if I wasn’t on such a time and energy exhaust. With all that said, no regrets. I would take a similar class for sure in the future.
All and all I really liked the course.