Comments on: “Analysis Paralysis” – An Editorial Comment

By: Administrator

Administrator — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:37:43 +0000

I commented on the topic on my own blog to make the greater world aware that the controversy continues in some circles about whether or not quilts were used as signal devices on the Underground Railroad. It is NOT a continuing controversy among serious quilt historians or historians who base their opinions on research facts, instead of “feelings.”

The opinion that “I feel it is so, and therefore, it must be true,” flies in the face of true scholarship, which should be based on study, the gathering of data, analysis, conclusions, and understanding. I don’t buy the idea that someone with an advanced degree knows more about a subject that someone else, like me, who has devoted the last 20 years to studying quilt history, daily, particularly when that other person’s academic area is not textiles, or history, but art.

Open discussion is a good thing. If scholars did not question, or consider the possibilities, all history would be just a rehash of sometimes misleading statements and some that are not true. No new discoveries would be made. For heaven’s sake, in my case, one of my research subjects would still be called by a false name, not her true name of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster.

I don’t feel that historians or quilt historians want to close themselves off from considering other viewpoints. All of us should remain open-minded and be fair. It is just kind of hard to maintain an equilibrium when someone incites another person post information to an online list, and the information is indiscernible, insulting, and inflammatory, and the person who wanted it posted is not even present in the discussion. herself.

I am ready to celebrate African-Americans and all of their contributions to building this great nation. I stand with them to acknowledge their pain and struggles. I applaud their wish to seek freedom and cast off the bonds of tyranny. I draw the line at accepting fanciful stories about their need to make or use quilt blocks to find their way to where they were going. Ach! I have written so much on this topic. My heart is turning to a stone and my ears are flapping over whenever I hear this fallacy of the “secret quilt code” that makes African-Americans looks silly and childish, and somewhat “limited.” Unfortunately, now that this topic is a rolling stone, we are bound to keep finding those who would capitalize on untrue statements, and trumped-up, non-historical accounts of their slave ancestors. Deliver us from evil. Amen.

By: Beth Davis

Beth Davis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:46:15 +0000

Pat,
I am quite stressed at the note, which I know is what prompted your blog entry. The “Doctor” who basically accused the discussion group members of making “conclusions formed with limited information insight and intimacy in historical subjects”. This makes one feel that we should limit discussions to only the topics that have already been proven with cold facts. How can we learn if we cannot share opinions without fear of criticism or retribution of not being diverse or inclusive enough?
Just an observance

By: Gayle Pritchard

Gayle Pritchard — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:48:29 +0000

Great post, as usual! I am personally enthralled by oral histories, and they can really enrich a story, but that does not make them true. I have encountered this repeatedly in my family genealogy research. You know, the stories about great-uncle so-and-so, who was caught in a fence and froze to death. It’s a great story, but without anything else to go on, it remains a lovely (or grizzly, in this case) story.
Our memories are also faulty, or choosey. Sometimes we remember things we were told, and often believe them to be true, because they were related to us for so many years. Get three siblings in a room and ask about a family event, and they will all remember it differently.
There is a terrific book about memory writing: Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson. It might help clarify this strange occurence of our memories.
Thanks for the post.