Storytelling and Identity - Fall 2023

we are made of stories

Class Notes 10/3/23

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On October 3, 2023

In Daily Class Notes

Started class by submitting our Mid-term Community Self-Assessment before doing our mindful minute. Discussed the assignment briefly, mentioning how reading the self-assessments might influence the way our class works in the future.

Professor Dolson passed around a sign-up sheet to schedule an individual meeting to discuss the self-assessments one on one. Prof. Dolson will bring along a sample of a past self-assessment to show what kind of writing she’s looking for.

Next Assignment:

Find one source from Richmond’s Unhealed History, listed in the endnotes and numbered chronologically, and do more research on a source Campbell used in the book that you’re interested in. We will be meeting with a library instructor, a requirement for all FYS courses, who will help us find our way around the library. Then we will find two more sources not used in the book that make us curious. Then, using these sources, we will create an annotated bibliography. We will talk more about the annotated bibliography when the library instructor is here. Try to come to class on Thursday (10/12) with your fist source, physical copy if possible, but online sources cited in the book are fine too.

The class took time to read each others prep notes. Professor Dolson says that she really enjoyed the way the prep notes reference prior in-class discussions and to other classes which discuss related topics. We also talked about that the way the class is taking the reading very seriously, which is a really good thing. We also mentioned that it’s really difficult to read content that is very serious, horrific, and that there are resources and strategies that can keep us from being overwhelmed, mention in Prof. Dolson’s blog post linked here.

Chapter 4 Discussion: 

Kaylee talked about tobacco economy, mentioned how some tobacco farmers prioritized growing tobacco instead of food to feed themselves. Ana mentioned that this is an example of how a want for profit can cloud one’s judgment, which also related back to the importance of cotton and the demand for slaves it caused, showing how the desire for profit can compromise our morals. Brice and Julia both discussed how important tobacco and the kind of economy it caused laid the foundations for how Virginia grew and how the demand for labor drew people into the colonies (pg 61-62). It was also mentioned how England incentivized people to travel to the colonies by offering land grants for people who paid for their own journey or the journey of others. Prof. Dolson mentions contracts discussed on pg. 29.

Nick J. mentions that although there were some people who came to the New World to pursue the three G’s (God, Gold, Glory) most settlers were rejects from England. He also brings up the point that it’s probably a bad idea for England’s social rejects to go to the New World and try to establish a colony. Prof. Dolson mentioned that the colonies seem like they weren’t really planned well, and wonders how the people of the Virginia Company thought about establishing the colonies.

Kristine mentioned how reading about the way people were classified in colonial Virginia based on their blood, introducing the word “white” to Virginia law. She related this back to another one of her classes where they discussed how having any African American ancestry automatically made one “black”.

Prof. Dolson mentions the quote from John Smith on pg. 60, which we read together. The quote talks about how Jamestown fell apart because everyone was too focused on planting tobacco, planting tobacco everywhere they could, compromising their infrastructure. Prof. Dolson asks why this tunnel vision might have come about. Julia says that it’s possible they were intending to sacrifice short term comforts for long term economic gains. Haven also mentions how many settlers were second or third sons of families, thus wouldn’t inherent any land, and were trying to pursue economic gain. Haven also mentions how the lack of a family structure in the colony due to a lack of women might have led to this lack lack of structure and support. Brice brings up that not having to provide for a family might have also led to settlers changing their priorities. Kaylee brings up the idea that since a lot of the settlers were poor or criminals, they might have jumped at any opportunity to make money.

Prof. Dolson mentions how the Virginia Company distributed land to certain settlers and established the head-right system. We take a look at the endnote associated with this info (endnote 124). It’s from the Henrico County Historical Society, and is a description of a property granted to a man named Thomas Harris. Prof. Dolson talks about how land has been passed down from one owner to another. This all said to point out how land grants from the king made the people who succeeded in growing tobacco even more wealthy, which probably played a big part in the development of the social order in the colony, such as tenants, bondservants, and apprentices.

“Individuals are always reacting to the things around them”.

Prof. Dolson mentions how people of different races were set up in different roles with different opportunities and rights. 90% of the population lived in bondage, 10% controlled all the land. Campbell uses this to lead into the discussion of Bacon’ s Rebellion. Nick J mentions how Bacon’s army was initially united by anti-Native American sentiment that shifted to anti-Great Man settlement. he also talks about how the hate for the class system united people in the colony of all races, which if the rebellion had succeeded might have led to a different standard in the colony. However, because of its failure, it may have led to the separation of races and a more racially oriented system.

We discuss how the Great Men’s power was threatened, leading them to make laws discriminating against African American people in an attempt to prevent rebellions, restricting travel, restricted large group gatherings (including marriages and burials), and that a black person was not allowed to raise their hands against any “Christian” person. This led us into a discussion about how important religion was to early settlers and how the term “Christian” grew into using “white” to increase racial discrimination. Prof. Dolson mentions how race is a construct of the time in which people live.

On page 110, Ana mentions a quote relating back to the idea of “King Cotton” dictating the necessity of slave labor. Ana also asks about the location of the historic slave market in Richmond, Prof. Dolson says that we will be visiting the location in person at a later date, and says that it is close to the James River.

Prof. Dolson also mentions how she really liked how Will L. said the history of Richmond “bleeds through” to show us the painful history of Richmond. Will also talks about how his prep note brought up Confederate quotes scrawled across a bridge in Richmond while they burned the city to keep it out of Union hands during the Civil War.

 

Julia sniffle count: 49

Prep note 10/3

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On October 3, 2023

In Ana, prep note

A topic from chapters 4-6 that I had not known much about before was the colonization movement, and efforts to transport free blacks to a colonized area in Africa, Sierra Leone. I had no idea that this movement had gained so much traction, and that many abolitionists as well as the white population of Richmond, and James Madison had supported it.

It was also interesting learning about the jails within Richmond. Historically, this connects with writing our way out, and the racism within the justice system. Listening to specific stories about the torture faced by incarcerated blacks within the Lumpkin jail were horrific and stomach turning. It was also interesting to see that the beginning of jails being owned by private entities began so long ago, and that these entities were using their incarcerated as slaves for profit, just as we see in some jails today.

I also decided to read chapter 3, and I really enjoyed learning so much about Pocahontas. It was so interesting to me that she had been baptized, and lived the last years of her life in London. I did like how the author emphasized that we do not know her true motives for her baptism, or whether or not she was forced into doing what she had done, as there are no written entries from her.

Prep Note 10-03-23

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On October 3, 2023

In Brice, prep note

What caught my attention the most from chapters 4-6 was the significance of religion and Christianity when it came to integration of African Americans and White Americans.  Biracial Christianity began to grow during the 19th century, and the partnership between black Christians and white Christians led to the establishment of black christian churches. Something else that struck me about the rest of these chapters was at the end of chapter 6 when the author, Benjamin Campbell highlights the fact that much of Richmond’s past was hidden.  For example, the slave jails were buried under parking lots and superhighways.  This reminded me of when Ana shared with the class that states in the south block any access to Native American history in schools.  The author is implying that instead of avoiding mistakes in the past, they should be exposed and resolved to bring complete healing.

Prep Note 10/03/23

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On October 3, 2023

In prep note, Will L

Chapters 4-6 went into more depth about slavery and how it became more and more race-based and biased against Africans in the US. My American Studies class just finished a section in which we were discussing similar topics, including the idea of a wake and how slavery may be ended but it still affects people. Within these chapters, stories have been employed as a way to emphasize the dark past of not only the US but also Richmond. As I write my prep note I am looking at the cover of the book in which Richmond is on Fire; over parents’ weekend my parents and I went into Richmond and when we were walking on a bridge, we noticed there were quotes of Confederate generals and Richmond citizens celebrating this destruction when they were forced to give up Richmond to the Union. I feel all these horrible stories act as a dark guide of how this all came to be and show how contrasting history is to the present, although history still seems to bleed through in some places.

Prep Note – 10/3/2023

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On October 3, 2023

In Javier, prep note

The chapters from Four to Six were interesting in that they revealed a side of history that I’d never noticed before. It goes in depth into the transition of how Slavery which was initially less race-centralized (with an emphasis on European Slaves) eventually shifted and over time became more and more systemic against Africans in the Americas. The earlier chapters detailed the general fundamentals of slavery that were Present, however, as the chapters progress, the transition becomes more and more clear.

The first warning sign was how Indians slowly had their rights weakened, and then a similar element occurred for Black Slaves. The shift from Anti-Native sentiment against those in power was a shift that I had not recalled in terms of focus, but also later elements — As to how slavery was relatively stable without influx and although still harsh, was also accompanied by both mixed congregations, the role of faith and religion in this transition was also an interesting element. it becomes clear that things go even more downhill with the sudden Cotton Burst in the state which increased demand for slaves exponentially.

I had not heard or recognized certain attributes such as revolutions before being confronted with them. It’s clear just how disturbing and rather morally unjust it was during this time period and how they rationalized it. While some used faith to promote equality and abolition, others utilized faith as well as other means in order to justify the necessity. The irony is how some slave owners would advocate against slavery. The transition from the start of the chapter to the end emphasizes a shift to focus on “slavery.”

An interesting component was the establishment of Liberia and the role it played in one of the chapters. It was a piece of American History that I’d never heard of before, which although a noble ambition, still had its flaws that were identified in the book.

Prep Note – 10/03

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On October 2, 2023

In Nick G, prep note

These chapters were informative but also shocking to read. It was interesting to read about the class system which greatly benefited the “great men” but harmed the rest of society. Despite the variety of classes in today’s society, none are nearly as clear-cut as they were back then. It was also sad to see how this system of indentured servitude of Europeans coming to America gradually shifted to give white people more freedom and increasingly less to black people. Then, the system would result in complete racial-based slavery.  The treatment of these slaves was also disgusting and hard to believe at times. Slaves were just property, expended at the slave owner’s discretion without a shred of humanity. The fact that slave owners would be compensated by the government if they killed one of their slaves is sickening. Additionally, reading about Lumpkin’s Jail and hearing about the conditions these slaves experienced was horrible. I understand that slavery was extremely normal at the time, however, it’s still impossible for me to imagine how one human could subject another else to such conditions and not think twice about it.

 

Prep Note 10/3/23

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On October 2, 2023

In Mitch, prep note

Beyond the statistical analysis of the happenings of late 18th and 19th century America, some of the personal written accounts (primary sources) really got to me unlike any other page of factual data. Some of the accounts show the apathy that many of the documenters had at the time towards slavery, and others show their concern towards a system that was unrightfully normalized. I’ve marked several quotes in my book.

Prep Note 10/2

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On October 2, 2023

In Haven, prep note

I was struck by the horrible conditions that were casually created for enslaved people to live in, especially Lumpkin’s Jail (the infamous “Devil’s Half Acre”). I can’t imagine going a day without a shower (sometimes two, depending) and a change of clothes, but enslaved “runaways” were left in such horrid conditions for such a long period of time – and that’s not even mentioning the food and water (in both cases, the lack thereof). How did these people ever survive? And for that matter, how did their tormentors ever justify their actions? Was it systematic and unfeeling? Probably, to some extent. Was it malicious? I don’t see how it couldn’t be, just a little bit. I will never understand how a human could treat another human like that and still believe they were in the right, nor do I ever want to. I’m getting tired of writing about atrocities – although those aren’t quite the right words. Maybe, rather, it takes its toll. But that’s why it’s so important, right? If I say, Oh, I’m getting tired of it, then maybe I’m contributing to the problem Campbell was talking about, where so much of the history surrounding slavery and atrocities has been forgotten or swept under the rug. If bringing that stuff out from under the rug means getting dust in our noses and eyes and sneezing for days, we can’t let that stop us. It’s too important. As the saying goes, there’s no growth in your comfort zone, and no comfort in your growth zone. So let’s grow, people! And if we’re uncomfortable along the way, good. I know for me, personally, as a relatively sheltered middle-class white girl, I could stand to be uncomfortable a little more often.

prep note 10/3

By

On October 2, 2023

In Chang

Chapter 4-6 mainly talks about the history of the class system and slavery in Richmond. The prosperity of the tobacco industry had a decisive impact on the social development of the colony, with the emergence of “old planters” and the birth of private economy. The high price of tobacco caused England to keep importing laborers, and these slaves had a high mortality rate. By 1660, Virginia’s population was divided into six distinct social and economy class. In the 1675 conflict between English settlers and the Indians, Bacon promised freedom to an army about 800 black and white. Bacon’s rebellion reveals a continued racism of all classes against the Indians, combined with a rapidly closing gap between disenfranchised whites and blacks. From 1680 to 1700, Virginia’s switch to African slave labor occurred quickly and decisively. After 1669, the act about casual killing of slaves was published and punishments to slaves became harsher. The author highlights the long-lasting effects of the history of slavery on African Americans and their struggle for freedom and equality.

Prep Note 10/03/23

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On October 2, 2023

In Kaylee, prep note

Chapters 4-6 were very interesting and informative. I previously learned about the Tobacco boom in Virginia in my history classes. Although I knew a little about the tobacco economy and how the slave trade was impacted, I didn’t realize that Richmond was a major hub for it. I was surprised when I learned there was a movement to help freed people return to Africa to Liberia. I was never taught about that, and I had no idea that many died on the voyages. When reading about the religious justification for slavery, I could not help but think about how backward and wrong that was. When I read about the slave revolts I was disgusted to read that a man was skinned like an animal. This stuck out to me because it further showed how black Americans were truly treated like animals. Reading about Devil’s Half Acre and the slave trade in Richmond taught me a lot about how deeply the roots of slavery affected Richmond and how they still linger today. I was not surprised to learn that this long history of slavery was not taught or well-known until the 90s. Overall, I found myself shocked and disgusted when reading about the treatment of Africans and African Americans in Richmond. Unsurprisingly, I was not shocked to read about the laws surrounding slavery and the treatment of anyone who wasn’t a “great man”

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