We also see this in the continued debate over the “harmless” symbols from the Reconstruction period and their increased use by white supremacist groups and movements. This is the very tension that exists now in the South, with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s decision to take down Confederate statues and the state of Alabama's efforts to keep them. Regardless, in the public sphere, we are still struggling with the historical memory of Reconstruction and its meaning. More than most historical subjects, how we think about this era truly matters, for it forces us to think about what kind of society we wish America to be."
"Citizenship, rights, democracy-as long as these remain contested, so will an accurate understanding of Reconstruction. Newer scholarship eventually overturned these views and began providing a more objective analysis of the period. These ideas were taught for years in American schools. Preeminent Reconstruction scholar Eric Foner points out that the history of the era was dominated for too long by a “traditional interpretation,” which ignored the role of freedmen in Reconstruction, saw black people as unfit for democracy and supported the view of white supremacy in the post-Civil War era. Our country’s historical understanding of Reconstruction highlights varying viewpoints on race. It’s more crucial than ever for young adults to understand the historical context. Alarmingly, we are also seeing a rise in racial hate speech and violence since the 2016 election. The context surrounding the election of an African-American president, issues of police relations with minority communities and current social movements such as Black Lives Matter make it clear that race is still a force that shapes our daily experiences. The study of Reconstruction is essential to understanding race and race relations in the United States from Emancipation to the present.Ī concentrated study of racial issues is essential to young people.
However, after a few years, I began to think that Reconstruction needed to be more closely studied by older students and brought back to high school. On one hand, this structure allowed for a more in-depth study of post-Reconstruction topics. history curriculum was divided between middle and high school levels, with the high school course starting in 1877, after Reconstruction. I am involved in a campaign in my state of Ohio to bring Reconstruction back to the high school curriculum.
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