Lesson of the Day: ‘Bringing Black History to Life in the Great Outdoors’

In the featured article, you will also see several historical terms related to slavery, such as enslaved, which is a term that refers to people who were forced to labor on plantations, and emancipated, which refers to enslaved people who became free.

Additionally, the Reconstruction era was the time period immediately following the Civil War when Americans attempted to rebuild their society, which had been divided by slavery and war.

Questions for Writing and Discussion

Read the article online or as a printable PDF. Then answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think the article begins with the inscription above the Roosevelt Arch?

2. Shelton Johnson, a ranger at Yosemite National Park, said:

“A storyteller is a healer and a good story has always been good medicine. The right story at the right time can heal the world.”

Based on the article, how do you think this quote connects to the stories Mr. Johnson tells about the Buffalo Soldiers?

3. How is Victoria Smalls, the executive director of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, personally connected to the story of enslaved people on Lowcountry plantations?

4. Olivia Williams, a ranger at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, said:

“There isn’t an overflow of young people, especially young people of color, in the public history field. I take it personally to make sure stories, especially lesser-known histories, stay in the rotation for many generations to come.”

What is your reaction to this quote? Would you ever want a career in public history? Why do you think Ms. Williams thinks this work is important, particularly for young people of color?

5. What happened to Jerry Bransford’s ancestors who led tours of Mammoth Cave National Park? How did Mr. Bransford continue to experience racism at the park as a young man?