Integration and the public sphere.

Bodnar’s work Remaking America immediately brought up the unique subject of integration. Through his work in the Midwest, the idea of integration takes a distinct appearance, focusing heavily upon the Scandinavian groups who emigrated there. These Scandinavian groups heavily focused upon their ancestors, with many celebrations focused upon the first generations. As these generations grew more distant from the first, celebrations slowly developed into a more general celebration, focusing upon the general idea of the pioneer rather than their direct descendants.
This idea of not simply focusing upon ones descendants shows an inclination towards being part of the norm. These people, as their families grew, slowly lost that deep connection compared to earlier generations. While this connection could be considered cultural loss, it could also be seen as gaining a new culture, one more associated with mainstream America’s. With this, public opinion essentially homogenized more, developing closer to that more stereotypical view of pioneer days.
With this kind of development, reader can connect this idea with ethnic groups in today’s world. One wonders if this melding of ideas and cultures continues, or will the old idea of the “melting pot” will fall apart as ethnic pride as well as racial pride seem to remain strong within some groups. All these things developed from the concept of the norm in society, and they will remain part of for the remained of American History.

Levinson and Statues

Written in Stone created something very unique within United States Public History works; it compared the actions of other nations to those within the United States. This comparison to the destruction of monuments within the former Soviet Bloc created a very different approach. Levinson displayed how the possible destruction essentially can create a similar situation to groups attempting to hold power is less stable nations. Levinson correct notes that symbols such as Stalin statues and even Confederate Commemorations statues retain power, acting as a symbol of authority within the public world.
The idea of altering the meaning also comes out. His use of the Confederate flag and Confederate represented the best examples for this situation. Essentially proposing things such as new plaques and complimenting memorials and even destruction of these symbols, Levinson dove into the debate of these, defining the major issues related to keeping symbols around. He discussed the vast that minorities may be offended and that even changing policies must debate the situation of what these symbols mean to all groups, and even what they mean on a regional and national level.
The fact that debates such as these continued display how much power a symbol holds. Levinson’s essay allowed for a glimpse into the long debate over what symbols should be allowed to stay in the public world and how scholars look into such complex issues.

South Beach and Stofik

The Art Deco district of Miami created an excellent example of Historic Preservation movements within the United States. Aside from the usual discussion of how buildings slowly became restored, Stofik and her work Saving South Beach created and excellent fleshing out of the situation in which the Art Deco District remained.
Within her piece, Stofik heavily focused upon the poor situation within South Beach at this time. Her heavy discussion of the problems disabled retirees faced as well as the heavy influx of Cuban refugees created a darker image within this world of pastel colors and unique architecture. With these groups creating large problems for the city, plus economic issues creating a stagnant housing market, the city developed in slower pace and gave people like Captiman the time needed to preserve such a unique district.
Another interesting note while reading, Stofik approached the subject more upon who and what saved the Art Deco District, than why. This subject is touched upon and displayed how the piece developed more into how groups go about the act of preserving rather then why. If one does not know about the Art Deco District and the Art Deco movement, then the book skims the subject, and what could be assumed to spark interest in the material. Through her work, Stofik created and excellent view into the world surrounding the preservation movement and even Miami itself.