Because I Play Well with Others

I have a feeling that you, loyal and wonderful readers, may be subjected to the more random and less, shall we say academic? observations I have while doing my reading for class. And that, my friends, will start today.

 

In doing my reading for Class the Second, Public History, one of the authors was particularly abusive to academic historians, really taking them to task for their lack of concern for how history is perceived in the public and lack of regard for those of us out here providing historical experiences to the public (Hi there! We exist! And we aren't morons!). She bluntly pointed out the divide between academic historians who seem to create interpretations of history merely for each other, not for the general public and the public historian, who works with audiences to create a shared historical experience that the public can digest.

 

As I read this, I chuckled inside. It made me realize why I chose to work in the public sphere of history instead of the more academic side.

 

I play well with others.

 

In the field of public history, historical work is a group enterprise. No man is an island. We're a crazy bunch of folks who work hard to put up that exhibit, digitize a collection, or get a property on the National Register and then have a potluck or a Festivus party. We're part academic, part muscle, and part community.

 

Not that there aren't academic historians who write amazing works that are very accessible to a general reader. And some of the best people I met in grad school the first time around are now academic historians. They are amazing people who play well with others, too. They partially manifest that in the teaching aspect of their careers. Although they stand in front of their classes alone, they then have to deal with the students afterward. And for that, I do admire them. Yikes.

 

Thanks, Mama and Daddy, for properly socializing me as a child. I think it truly made me who I am today :-)