[I think we could all use some reminders these days of the best of our communities and conversations. So for this year’s Fall Semester reflections series, I wanted to share one moment from each of my classes that embodied those collective goals. I’d love to hear about your Falls in comments!]
Since at
least the
Introduction to my 2013 book The
Chinese Exclusion Act: What It Can Teach Us about America, I’ve been thinking
about public scholarship as a form of teaching (in the best, most communal and
conversation senses of that work). That’s one of many reasons (but high on the
list) why I seek out every possible opportunity to present my work to audiences,
and one
of the settings to which I’ve returned most often are the Women’s
Circle Breakfasts at Southgate. I had the chance to do so again this Fall,
talking to them about the incredibly fraught and painful and important (now at
least as much as then) topic of eugenics in early 20th century American
society, culture, and history. As with every talk I get to give, and certainly
with every one I’ve been able to share with the Women’s Circle, I learned as
much from the experience as any audience member could have; and in this case,
as so often, I think we were all reminded of the worst of us and, I hope and believe,
inspired to keep fighting for the best. I’ll take any and all of those moments!
Looking
ahead to what’s next in the weekend post,
Ben
PS.
Whattaya got?
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