Historians Gregory P. Downs, Eric Foner and Kate Masur make the case for a national monument dedicated to Reconstruction in Beaufort, S.C. “Reconstruction was the nation’s first great experiment in biracial democracy. . . .More broadly it reminds us that rights we sometimes take for granted can be taken away.”
Why We Need a National Monument to Reconstruction
by lindaoppenheim | Dec 14, 2016 | Uncategorized | 2 comments
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What a compelling article that reveals the undercurrent of socialized behaviors that remain deeply rooted despite numerous efforts toward social change. “It reminds ME of the centrality of race-based slavery to our nation’s history; of the idealism of those, white and black, who sought to build a society based on racial equality upon the ashes of slavery; and of the violent overthrow of the experiment in biracial democracy. More broadly it reminds us that rights we sometimes take for granted can be taken away.” The reality of my day-to-day experiences…
I lived in Beaufort from 1967-69. I did some work for Dr. Gatch who was doing freedom physicals and with the University of South Carolina was instrumental in addressing problems of malnutrition amongst the poor who were mostly black. I, also, worked as a social worker and saw up front the terrible conditions some of its’ citizens has to endure. When I walked down the street, black men crossed to the other side as i was a white woman. When I went to the dentist, there were two doors, one for whites and one for blacks. This antebellum town needs to honor it’s black citizens.