Material of History Questions
The essays should not be long–no more than 2 pages (500 word minimum). Read the document and respond to the questions at the end. Number your responses to correspond to the questions and answer each question in a new paragraph. Each paragraph should include support drawn directly from the source. I look for more than a simple factual answer to the question. Tell me why you think your answer is correct. In other words justify your answer from the document itself or by logical reasoning about its contents and the events that brought it about. Show me that you have thought seriously about what you have read. The Material of History The continuing mythic power in our own day of the historical myths embodied in monuments, museums, memorials, and rituals is the subject of this essay by Fath Davis Ruffins. This work argues that the failed effort to win public support for an African-American museum in the nation’s capital reflected many of the competing historical visions and political agenda’s among blacks as well as between blacks and whites. Based on your analysis of the essay address the following questions: 1) What are the main issues surrounding the building of an African-American museum in Washington, D.C.? 2) How does this debate over when, where, and how to create a museum reflect “the politics of memory”?
