The Harm in Historical Reenactments

Historical reenactments can be a way to bring history to life for students as well as for sightseers visiting historical landmarks. But the harm and the trauma that can be reintroduced in doing so is Worth Noting.

Links:

Ending Curriculum Violence (Learning for Justice, Spring 2020)

Sources consulted:

High School Under Fire For Project Reenacting Slavery’” (KAL9, September 18, 2017)

What It Felt Like’” (Slate, May 20, 2019)

Despite calls to hear from students and staff, Newberg school board approves ban on Pride and Black Lives Matter flags’” (OBM News, August 11, 2021)

Newberg High School students participated in virtual ‘slave trade’’” (KGW8, September 14, 2021)

Newberg teacher’s aide explains why she wore blackface’” (KATU2, September 23, 2021)

All eyes on Newberg school board as vote banning political symbols looms’” (OBM News, September 27, 2021)

Newberg school staff member who wore blackface to protest vaccine mandate reportedly fired’” (KGW8, September 24, 2021)

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