This week the focus of our readings covered issues concerning the problems surrounding the presentation of historical controversies, research and analysis conducted. The first book, "The Presence of the Past" by Rosenzweig and Thelen attempted to show through narratives, surveys and analysis that Whites, Blacks, Native American also Mexican Americans that past events play a significant role in their everyday lifes. They discovered that blacks were more likely to narrate the past and those issues that have impacted them historically, also they relied on individual experiences. The information showed that over 91% of the respondents answered the ten activities surveyed. Native Americans when interviewed spoke of betrayal by white Americans and concern with the preservation of their culture. Overall, the majority of respondents documented historical information through oral tradition and documenting the past.This survey revealed differences between whites, blacks and other indigenous people. Yet, what I found impressive from their narratives, analysis and conclusions were Americans are concerned about the past.
In the essay, "Anatomy of a Controversy," by Edward T. Linenthal examines the core issues surrounding the Enola Gay exhibition. Linenthal does a good job of presenting the story. The central issue seems to revolve around the National Air and Space Museum sensitivity to Japanese and American relationsips. It appears from the reading that pictures, photographs, and footage displaying the results of the atomic bomb being dropped on Japanese and the horrific aftermath. It appears that nationl solidarity was at the heart of the decsion.
The last article, "Fred Wilson, PSTD, and Me: Reflections an the History Wars" by Ken Yellis, examines the fight over history and how its presented. His examples and analysis shows that if an exhibition can engage the public, controversies are minimized. If an historical event is repackaged and presented in a new way they can enlighten the masses.
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