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Every time I teach the Civil War class, I struggle with how to end it. There's so much at stake - it seems so critically important that they leave understanding the Lost Cause, and modern conflicts over Confederate flags and statues. Here's what I did this year.
We listened to 4 songs: Ashokan Farewell, The Battle of Antietam (T. Bone Burnett), Harry Belafonte's Oh Freedom, and The Band's cover of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. It's a large lecture, but we managed to discuss how each captures a different version of CW memory.
I particularly love this version of The Night They Drove Old Dixie down. It starts with a nostalgic horn chorus of Dixie. We discussed how themes of the Lost Cause come through in the lyrics.
Then we had a discussion inspired by a very bright student's question. She asked how the Lost Cause became the dominant interpretation of the CW & Recon nationwide. So we explored that, first by talking about reconciliation, then through historiography (Dunning School).
But how did it get embedded in the national consciousness? We explored this through film. First, Birth of a Nation, then Gone with the Wind. Then this clip from Ken Burns' Civil War.
Finally, this scene from Gettysburg. How does the veneration of Lee get embedded in our own modern culture? Well, this is one way, I think.
We finished by looking at three pictures: one of Dylann Roof holding the Confederate flag & two taken at Charlottesville. I wanted them to see how flags & monuments continue to do the work of white supremacy today. I planned to also show this:
It was an intense way to end, but it inspired thoughtful discussions during & after class. Who knows, maybe none of it worked - but then again, maybe it did. Either way, I know this: I really love my job.
The brilliant @AdamHDomby fact checked me - it's not a cover! I mistakenly thought it was originally written by Joan Baez, but it turns out her version is the cover!
