Storytelling and Identity - Fall 2023

we are made of stories

Month: October 2023 Page 4 of 11

Prep Note 10/24

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On October 23, 2023

In Angelos, Experiential Reflections, prep note

Unfortunately, I was not able to join the classroom on Thursday due to my sickness even though it was a trip I was really looking forward to. Nevertheless, I am fortunate to read everyone’s notes, especially Anna’s and Nickolas’ Class Notes, which helped me understand the context of the other notes and a really insightful outline of the excursion.

Regarding the assignment, I was wondering about the format and structure of the essays; How long are you expecting the essays to be and what structure should we follow both within paragraphs and in the essay overall?

Could we have any examples of what learning moments or quotes are? Are the learning moments a realization or a learning curve over the semester? Could we talk more about the evidence you are expecting us to use in the classroom? Are there any previous learning portfolios we could read?

Finally, I read the essay rubric and it seems that it adds up to 9 points and not 10.

Prep Note – 10/24/23

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On October 22, 2023

In Javier, prep note

“How have you experienced learning through your own writing? Write an essay in which you identify two different learning moments that happened for you through writing. Be sure to quote yourself (and link to the quote where it appears on the blog, if possible.) For each moment you choose, explain how this represents learning to you, and define or categorize the learning. What can you conclude about the relationship between writing and learning?”

  • Does the learning content have to be explicitly from the blog? or can it be from our other articles of writing from the school year?
  • Can we use writing samples from other classes that may contribute or be used to identify supposed learning moments?
  • Can we describe or utilize previous writings from BEFORE the class and use them to compare with our current selves? Or utilize past learning moments that we have experienced through writing that might have occurred before the class began?

Class Reflection – 10/19/23

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On October 22, 2023

In Experiential Reflections, Javier

My image that encapsulated the experience was an image by where the old prison site itself used to be, where by the signages that detailed the stories of the Devil’s Acre, was a rock labeled “Gabriel, Not Forgotten.”

I believe it was a fairly powerful component. Gabriel, meaning Strength of God in Hebrew – and the specific phrase “not forgotten” – While before coming to Richmond and reading Richmond’s Unhealed History, I had been fairly unfamiliar with who Gabriel was. However, the site itself was very familiar with Gabriel, his story, and his rebellion.

Another interesting point was how the old location, the “Devil’s Acre” was eventually turned into a historically black college, Virginia Union University, originally founded to educate Freedman after the property had been taken under his wife who decided to use it to support African Americans. It was the site of the University until they eventually moved to its present-day location.

Class Response — 10/12/23

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On October 22, 2023

In Daily Class Notes, Javier

The class for the week was significantly fielded around more open-ended. After reviewing and discussing Nick’s advice and progress made through the resources provided and how the library system worked, we started with discussions about how to make the Annotated Bibliography. We evaluated the goals of the library resources and certain takeaways.

Interestingly of note, by looking up more parallel terms to the specifics, you might be able to narrow down resources to that which you might be pursuing. At a certain point, we exchanged annotated bibliographies with partners and evaluated them, seeking similarities, and differences, which led to raised questions of discussion such as pertaining to formatting. We discussed more takeaways, such as the Rhetorical Triangle, the use of formatting, among other resources.

We also discussed scholars and their very nature and definition which varies and is much broader. Some shared their experiences, such as Wesley, who told us about his experiences back home. Professor Dolson went on to explain certain components of “scholarly” experiences, such as tenure, and the effort it takes. Professor Dolson also talks about her own experiences, as well as the weight and value of volunteering and some of the things that occur in line with the Bonners Program and Center for Civic Engagement.

Prep Note 10/24

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On October 22, 2023

In prep note, Will L

For the first essay, are we able to use our writing from another class and talk about how it helped us learn that material as well?

Prep Note 10/24/23

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On October 22, 2023

In Mitch, prep note

‘Learning’ itself seems like such a vague term as used in the first prompt of the midterm portfolio reflective essay. “Experienced learning,” “learning moments,” “how this represents learning,” and “define and categorize the learning” are all used in the same paragraph and paint what learning is to be some concept open to interpretation. If this is the case, and we should in fact explore what learning means to us through writing an essay, then that’s good enough of an answer to me. If not, could the explanation of what we should really include in the essay be narrowed down a bit?

Class Reflection 10/19

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On October 22, 2023

In Experiential Reflections, Will L

The photos I have included are of the obelisk on the slave burial grounds as well as the inscription at the base of it. I chose to include this because of how it caught my eye both the obelisk itself as well as its description. It seemed out of place when I first saw it but after reflecting on it I’ve thought about the fact that the grounds themself are out of place as they shouldn’t have to exist. When I was reading the description I noticed that Africa was spelled with a K and after looking into it I found that “reverting to the “K” spelling empowered people of African descent and created the foundation for a common identity between them.” I feel that this obelisk does a good job of standing out and making people understand why it’s there.

Class Notes Response 10/19

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On October 22, 2023

In Daily Class Notes, Will L

Seeing Lumpkin’s slave jail and the slave burial grounds was very different than when we saw the burial site on our campus. It was much larger and made me more aware of the fact that these were all over and now it is unknown where many of them are now. On my notecard, I wrote about how I thought that it would be similar to the site on campus but with more information.

After arriving we split into two groups to observe where the slave jail once stood as well as the former home of Emily Winfree and the field of the burial grounds. I was in the group that looked at the Winfree cottage and where Lumpkin’s was. Reading about the cottage I learned how Ms. Winfree was one of the thousands of black Richmonders who became free and was able to live in a thriving African-American community. Seeing where Lumpkins once stood was informative because it made me learn how many places like this used to scatter the area and now the majority of them are just buried under the city’s infrastructure.

Moving through the underpass we learned of the execution of General Gabriel and we saw some information signs under the trees where this occurred. The field was much larger than I thought and hearing that it used to be a parking lot was very interesting. There was also an obelisk that was made in memory of “Afrikan Ancestors and symbolizing the spiritual resurrection of a liberated and inspired people” -Afrikan Ancestral Chamber 2017. Leaving the grounds I wrote about how the size of the burial grounds surprised me and how the jail most likely still has part of its grounds under the highway.

Reflection from 10/19

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On October 22, 2023

In Nick G, prep note

I found it interesting how the slave jail was so close to the main house and hotel/tavern. It seems almost psychopathic for people to be enjoying themselves at the tavern or relaxing in the house knowing the horrible conditions the slaves are living in only a few feet away. How could the white slave owners not have a shred of humanity even as the slaves were suffering in Lumpkin’s Jail? The more we learn about Richmond’s history and the history of slavery in this country, the more I’m starting to see that slavery was not just a system to provide labor. It was a system for white people to express their complete hatred for black people.

 

Slave Burial Ground Trip Reflection 10/19/23

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On October 22, 2023

In Experiential Reflections, kristine

This picture showcases a mural of sorts that serves as a memorial for the slave burial ground. I think the pictures of skeletons are very haunting and also evoke a sadness as well because these people were forgotten about for so long. This spot and the whole area in general was an effective place for reflection because of its atmosphere. At this spot particularly, I found myself just standing there and staring at this piece of artwork for a pretty long time because I just couldn’t fathom these people’s lives and experiences. I feel like immersing myself in this place was a lot more effective in terms of education about slavery than much of my prior study on the subject.

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