Latest news with #Antebellum
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A strange Poe novel might be just the right book for today's weird times
Advertisement Rezek, who teaches at Boston University, says that when he first encountered 'Pym' while preparing for his doctoral exams he was 'confused and alarmed by the whole thing! I knew Poe, obviously, for his stories and poems, but as a novel, I just thought, 'Why did he write it? What was he thinking?'' The bafflement is part of the project, adds Wolff, an associate professor in the English department at Tufts. 'I think part of the idea of the series is that it's fun for people to encounter a text that causes some disequilibrium, kind of confuses you.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Poe was born in Boston and published his first poetry as simply 'a Bostonian,' forgoing even a pen name. But as both Rezek and Wolff point out, he was primarily a Southern writer, steeped in the racism of antebellum Richmond, where he was raised. 'Poe is one of those where you teach him, you have to reckon with that,' says Rezek. 'His politics don't make you feel good as a modern person.' And yet, Wolff adds, Poe's work in Pym is also 'a kind of window into the antebellum mindset and how much the nation was either grappling with or desperately trying to avoid the question of race and racial difference in slavery.' Advertisement Both scholars point to Toni Morrison's ' 19th century literature helps explain both the past and the present, Rezek says. 'And just understanding America more deeply is an urgent project now.' 'You can read it as really richly and interestingly and provocatively illustrative of some key anxieties and concerns of the Antebellum period,' Adds Wolff. 'But also, he's just a really fun writer who was a master of sensation and of horror and of suspense. I mean, it is a terrifying, gross, kind of funny, strange adventure tale.' Nathan Wolff and Joseph Rezek will speak at 7 p.m. Monday, July 28, at . And now for some recommendations ... ' Advertisement Another timely collection is Rax King's ' been human — this book will speak to you. ' them . Kate Tuttle edits the Globe's books section. Kate Tuttle, a freelance writer and critic, can be reached at
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Associated Press
Lutheran Life Communities Hosts Meaningful Events to Stimulate Thought and Connection
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., July 22, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Lutheran Life Communities hosts a late-summer event lineup that invites older adults to explore life at its four dynamic locations. Each event reflects the organization's deep commitment to fostering lifelong learning, meaningful connection and personal discovery. At the heart of this series is 'Quilts for Freedom: Secret Codes & the Underground Railroad,' an unforgettable program led by national speaker Connie Martin at Luther Oaks in Bloomington. This moving event, taking place on Tuesday, August 12, at 10:30 a.m., explores how quilt patterns were used to transmit secret messages and aid enslaved Americans seeking freedom. Attendees will view 18 authentic patterns and hear the personal story of Martin's great-grandmother's survival and resilience during the Antebellum period. 'Our campuses are so much more than places to live; they're places to thrive,' said Jennifer Darnell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Lutheran Life Communities. 'These events invite guests to experience the joy of learning something new, the warmth of community and the inspiration that defines each of our four locations.' August Event Highlights: While each event offers a unique experience, they are united by Lutheran Life Communities' mission: empowering vibrant, Grace-Filled living. From historic quilts to financial wellness and from ice cream socials to serious conversations, this season's programs invite future residents and their loved ones to discover what sets these communities apart. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. To RSVP or explore more upcoming events, visit: About Lutheran Life Communities Lutheran Life Communities is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded over 130 years ago. Each campus is unique in its own way, but they are united under one mission: empowering vibrant, Grace-Filled living across all generations. Life Plan locations include Luther Oaks in Bloomington and Pleasant View in Ottawa. And Wittenberg Village in Crown Point is an entrance-fee community offering assisted living. They also operate a multigenerational Lutheran Home health services community in Arlington Heights, offering assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, an adult day club, inpatient and outpatient rehab, home care services, move management services, Shepherd's Flock Child Care and Preschool and Jenny's Bistro, which is open to the public and serves gourmet food and beverages. NEWS SOURCE: Lutheran Life Communities Keywords: Illinois Business, Lutheran Life Communities, Luther Oaks, Bloomington, Illinois. The Quilts for Freedom: Secret Codes and the Underground Railroad event, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lutheran Life Communities) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127915 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zachary pastor reflects on Louisiana history following Nottoway Plantation fire
ZACHARY, La. (Louisiana First) — The Redwood Baptist Church was first organized in 1857 by slaves, according to the church's pastor. Following the Nottoway fire this month, he reflected on the way slaves are contextualized in Louisiana's history. Pastor Dale Flowers said he never visited Nottoway, which was finished in 1859 in White Castle. He said following the May 15 fire, he noticed online debates on social media about the plantation's legacy. 'Some people were like, 'Hey, pass the marshmallows,'' Flowers said. 'Others were extremely upset.' Support for the plantation began before the embers completely cooled. Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle called the fire a tragedy considering its history in the area. 'The preservation of history is so important,' Daigle said in the fire's aftermath. Nottoway constituted the South's largest existing antebellum mansion, according to its website. The location has been popular for portraits, weddings, fine dining, and tours. 'The event is going to take a toll on Louisiana tourism,' Daigle said. Daigle said at the time recent renovations did not include installing a sprinkler system. 'It's a day we were always afraid of,' Daigle said. The state fire marshal ended its investigation into the fire Tuesday without any conclusions on what caused it. Evidence was sent to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Crime Lab in Georgia to be analyzed. Daigle discussed the controversy already beginning to take shape online, which included whether the fire burning down the structure was a blessing or a curse. 'There's so much controversy with the past,' Daigle said. 'We didn't live in that generation, but the preservation of history, even the uncomfortable parts, is important.' The plantation's owner shared that sentiment in a statement published soon after the fire. William Daniel Dyess, an attorney and preservationist from Natchitoches, did not respond to a Louisiana First News request placed through his law office by publication. In a statement to the New York Post, he dismissed much of the criticism while calling for people to 'move forward.' 'I take this position — we are non-racist people,' Dyess said in the article. 'I am a lawyer and my wife is a judge. We believe in equal opportunity rights for everyone, total equality and fairness. My wife and I had nothing to do with slavery, but we recognize the wrongness of it. We are trying to make this a better place. We don't have any interest in left wing radical stuff. We need to move forward on a positive note here and we are not going to dwell on past racial injustice.' Dyess said he plans to rebuild the mansion. A couple of signs are posted outside the property, including one that suggests construction is already happening. 'Rebuild it,' Flowers said. 'Slaves built that building. Slaves aren't going to build this one.' Flowers said there is a sentiment from many in America to romanticize the Antebellum period. 'Some people are nostalgic about that time,' Flowers said. Flowers said the prioritization of weddings and the positive elements of history are part of the reason so many people have the opposite opinion: that Nottoway displayed a largely incorrect version of its history. People who view the website and click the 'History' tab will be met with a list of named trees on the property. 'I honestly thought, 'I wonder how many people hung from those trees,'' Flowers said. Flowers said a better representation of history can be found at Whitney Plantation. Located in Edgard, Whitney operated from 1752 to 1975, according to its website. Whitney has been open about its purpose, posting in 2020 that it would not hold weddings because of slavery's impact on the property. 'Plantations are sites of immense cruelty and violence,' the Instagram post read. 'We do not allow any event that would overshadow this reality and disrespect the memory of all those who suffered, labored and died here.' A recent trip to Whitney was emotional, Flowers said, but he said his children began to learn about the reality their ancestors experienced. 'It's honestly a hard place to visit,' Flowers said. 'They present it as it is.' Flowers said those slaves who directly ramped up Louisiana's economy in the late 1800s also founded the church he now serves. He said the record is unclear on whether they got permission from their master to organize or secretly did so in a wooded area. 'It was actually organized by slaves,' Flowers said. Flowers said he thinks the original congregation would be proud that the church carries on their legacy. 'The work they started in 1857 is still going on today,' Flowers said. 11-year-old finds message in a bottle from Hawaii on Florida beach Livingston Parish woman arrested, accused of child sex crimes Zachary pastor reflects on Louisiana history following Nottoway Plantation fire New Orleans Saints starting offensive line taking shape during OTAs Haribo recalls sweets in the Netherlands after cannabis detected Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
