Hey, fellow lovers of history! AW MML, HI, here. As
promised, here is part two of my very exclusive interview with Mr. Seth
Ross-Granda is below. So, you can read and read to your heart’s desire!
CRAFT: What role do you think history plays in all
levels of education?
GRANDA: I’m not sure I can answer that question with
much authority, but I think that the study of history is critical to a holistic
education and understanding of how we as individuals fit into the world.
Studying history doesn’t simply require that a student be able to memorize
immense volumes of facts as some might believe. Rather, a devoted student of
history learns how to implement many skills such as researching various types
of sources, extracting information, organizing findings, analyzing complex
details, thinking critically, and deducing acute inferences. Each of these
skills not only allows the history student to make educated statements about
the state of things in the past, but it gives her a better understanding of how
her individual life fits into the present day historical narrative.
CRAFT: Do you feel history gets enough attention or
focus in all levels of school?
GRANDA: Well I think the answer to that question requires
a lot of research, but, to speak generally, I think history deserves a great
deal of focus in in every person’s education. Without a student’s knowledge of
history, I think, at the very least, they will be passing up a great
opportunity to improve skills of reading, comprehending, reasoning, and
deducing.
CRAFT: In your opinion, what role does writing play
in history and other disciplines?
GRANDA: With regards to
history, it’s been tremendously important and responsible for the wealth of
sources from which we are able to rely upon today; prior to the introduction of
writing in human civilization, history was probably passed down orally, and
with the rise and fall of civilizations, so too probably went the histories of
those people and times. Thanks to man’s dedication to the skill of writing, in
all of its many forms (hieroglyphics, typing, etc.), we have better
understanding and modes of communicating ideas about history of the people in
ancient and modern societies alike.
CRAFT: Where is the gap in the average person’s
historical knowledge the widest? Where is it the narrowest?
GRANDA: Well, considering that the majority of my
understanding of what constitutes the average person’s historical knowledge is
derived largely from offhand conversations that sometimes delve into topics of
history, I would say that most people, at least people our age, don’t really
appreciate the history of the geographical area known today as Russia. Perhaps,
that’s a generational generalization I’m making because I believe our parents’
generation was probably a little more concerned with the history of the
U.S.S.R. because of the Cold War and its narrative place in American culture
beginning mainly in the 1950s leading up to the 1990s. Our generation, on the
other hand, doesn’t have quite as much focus on Russia probably because of the
ostensible diffusion of tension between the great superpowers after the fall of
the Soviet Union in the 1990s.
CRAFT: In your opinion, has popular culture ever
accurately portrayed history?
GRANDA: Wow, that’s a rangy question that could be
the basis of a doctoral thesis for a student in a Ph.D. program, but I’ll try
and answer it in a couple of sentences. Yes and no. I believe that historical
accuracy can be a very difficult thing to obtain in terms of removing biases
and the subjective elements out of works in popular culture (I assume we’re
talking movies). Depending on which viewpoint you are taking, a historical
episode may seem more accurate to a particular person’s perspective and less
accurate to another’s. Various events can be objectively presentable in terms
of what actually happened (i.e. a B-2 dropping an atom bomb and the resulting
destruction), but the way in which the event is conveyed so as to create a
morality play can skew our understanding. I think these problems are largely
inherent in our society’s presentation of art because most everything is
propaganda in the sense that it’s trying to make a statement about the current
state of affairs, but by utilizing a historian’s critical eye, I think it’s
possible to accept certain aspects of cinema when it attempts to portray a
historical event.
CRAFT: In your opinion, why have the War of 1812 and
World War I received less attention in both popular culture and education than
say the American Revolution or World War II?
GRANDA: Well, my
opinion regarding why World War II has received more attention in pop culture
and education than World War I is probably because of the relevant level of
involvement that the United States had in the war. Additionally, the
devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, which ignited the American entry into the
Second World War, ensured that the war would have a very important place in the
American memory. In World War I, the United States was not provoked to enter
the war in quite the same way. Additionally, I think humans consider beginnings
of processes to be more interesting. The Revolutionary War was the war that
first established the supreme independence of the American colonists against
the British Empire. The Revolutionary War receiving more attention in
scholarship than the War of 1812 is like the book of Genesis receiving more
sermon time than the story of Moses in Deuteronomy. One represented the
beginning; the other was just more of the story. That is not, however, to say
that one is actually more important than the other.
CRAFT: What do you read for pleasure?
GRANDA: I’ve done a poor job at actually finishing
the works I’ve attempted to read in years past, but among some of the works
that I’ve completed are Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men, The Man
Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton, Ernest Hemingway’s A Movable Feast, Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, a few of Stuart Woods’ Stone
Barrington Novels, and John Grisham’s The
Confession. To answer your question, I read a blend of current best-selling
legal thrillers, modern American historical fiction, and a couple of British
allegorical tales.
CRAFT: What book of historical nature would you
recommend that everyone read?
GRANDA: Assuming that we’re talking about primary
sources, I would recommend the Bible, but the answer really depends on what the
individual person is interested in learning. I do think it’s important for
everyone to actually read primary sources upon which so much of our society depends
such as the Constitution, statutes, and local ordinances. I think many people
would be surprised to know what the law actually says, and the ways in which it
creates and confines American freedom.
CRAFT: What book would you recommend that any
president should read?
GRANDA: Constitutional
Law for Dummies.
CRAFT: What is your opinion or view of
the Bible? Are the events depicted/recorded in the Bible history to you? Just
the living Word of God? Or both?
GRANDA: The Bible is a crucially
important text. It’s arguably the most influential printed work in the history
of the world. I personally believe that the Bible includes some factual
historical information, and I also believe that there are some divinely
inspired passages within it. I believe that there is great wisdom in the words
of Jesus.
CRAFT: Do you know any foreign languages and/or
alphabets? If so, what are they, and how many?
GRANDA: I understand some Spanish, but I wish that I
were more proficient with regards to foreign languages. I consider it
inexcusable that both of my parents are, at the very least (my mother speaks
English, Spanish, and Portuguese) bilingual, yet I am barely unilingual.
CRAFT: Was it difficult for you to write collegiate
history papers and law school papers?
GRANDA: There is a
slight similarity between writing collegiate history papers and law school
papers. That is that a prepared and well-researched writer should have little
trouble in writing. Once the research and note-taking phase is complete, all
that remains is the actual application of the findings into a coherent and
decipherable product (that’s the difficult part). With regards to writing
papers in law school, as in undergrad, the difficulty stems more from the
balancing act of having other highly demanding classes to tend to. Thus,
devising a work schedule and diligently sticking to it are key goals that lead
to completing the papers with quality when they are due. I wasn’t entirely
successful in undergrad at creating study plans for my history assignments and
sticking to them, but I’ve since learned my lesson and improved my diligence
when it comes to writing papers in law school. I recommend that students
incorporate proper research organization and work habits into their repertoire
now. And, remember, don’t put off until tomorrow that which can be done today.
CRAFT: What advice would you give to lower-class
history majors and minors?
GRANDA: Down with the bourgeoisie. Take Dr.
Schafer’s Russian Revolution class for many great jokes, Comrade. Additionally,
take the opportunity to sit in on one of Dr. Kuryla’s lectures. That man is
just plain cool. If he can’t get you interested in history, then you’re lost,
man (sorry for the heteronormative address).
CRAFT: What advice would you give to upper-class
history majors and minors?
GRANDA: Read as much as you can. You won’t regret
it. Also, if you’re struggling with anything school-related or just need
general advice, schedule a visit with one of the history professors. While they
are of course very respected intellectuals in their respective historical
areas, they are equally wonderful, genuine, and caring people. I can remember
specific instances with each of the history professors in which I was given
golden nuggets of wisdom. Dr. Jackson-Abernathy, specifically, was my guardian
angel throughout my Belmont education. Dr. Jackson cares deeply for each of her
students, and she gives you her full attention and some really great pointers
on life as well as how to be a successful student.
CRAFT: What advice would you give to pre-collegiate
students interested in and/or passionate about history?
GRANDA: Don’t knock it until you try it! Also, a
history degree is not merely for people who know they want to teach or pursue a
Ph.D. (although those are highly respectable goals). I think I’m someone who
can attest well to that.
Thanks a million for reading, peeps. Hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know my man Seth. Peace! AW MML, HI
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