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Creative and Meaningful Engagement with the Public

 

In this week’s readings of Hannah Hethmon’s Your Museum Needs a Podcast, Hethmon presents a mode of public communication, podcasting, which can help a broadcaster connect with a community or specific audience. Hethmon explains that though podcasting may appear strange and unorthodox as a means of historic outreach, it is an impactful and lucrative way to give history attention.[1] Hethmon proclaims that ultimately, podcasts that can state their purpose while telling a story are usually the most successful among listeners.[2] I agree with Hethmon in that it is vital to keep the community aware of why certain histories should be of interest to them. I am also aware that though one may try to engage with a certain audience and have an audience’s unwavering attention, the topic at hand may not always engage the audience as intended (some may view material as too radical, sensitive, or boring). In this case, I believe that having a purpose and putting in total effort to the podcast’s production is necessary to successfully attain meaningful outreach and attention from the public.

Joanne Danifo explores history and material culture in her writing Elfreth’s Alley: A work which explores an alley traced back to Colonial America formerly bustling with Pennsylvania merchants and artisans in the 18th century.[3] Danifo then proceeds to explain the negative aftermath of the Industrial Revolution on the alley, and the decline of its residents to follow.[4] This post is super insightful as it gives its readers an example of why histories such as that of Elfreth’s Alley should and can be fought for and that the alley should remain accessible to Pennsylvania’s surrounding community and those who care to preserve it's history to share it with future generations. Unaware of the full history of this alley yet knowing that many Colonial historic sites struggle to include the lives of minority Colonial Americans, I admittingly have skepticism of the inclusiveness of histories being told here. However, I do believe that the historical narratives formerly covered will be unearthed by Pennsylvanians caring to show a holistic history of the alley.

    Studs Terkel’s Working is not only an entertaining read, but a read that exemplifies a very personable and humane way in which Terkel as a 20th century radio broadcaster connected with every-day individuals and made their labor history relatable to the public. Through this piece, the reader experiences the sense of purpose the interviewees feel they have due to their past and current occupations.[5] I believe Terkel did an excellent job of selecting workers of differing walks of life and showing their very human concerns and aspirations. Often, the stories of the workers are juxtaposed to show the differing mindsets of workers in opposite working environments; one very striking comparison being the interview of White police officer Vincent Maher which precedes that of Black Police officer Renault Robertson.[6] Terkel’s effort to interview a variance of people evidences his will to be open with the public about sharing a range of history and connecting with everyone. As some of the issues that are brought up by his interviewees (being mistreated by members of another race and finding hardship working amongst people of a different race) are resounding issues of America’s climate today. 

[1] Hethmon, Hannah. “Your Museum Needs a Podcast”, 2018.

[2] Ibid., “Your Museum Needs a Podcast”.

[3] Danifo, Joanne. “Elfreth’s Alley”, The Encylopedia of Greater Philadelphia, 2012, https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/elfreths-alley/

[4]Ibid. “Elfreth’s Alley”.

[5] Terkel, Studs. “Working”, 1972.

[6] Ibid. 129,137.

Comments

  1. Hilary Iris LoweSeptember 3, 2020 at 3:53 AM

    Jeanette, You've hit the central concern with Philadelphia (and many other places) and its colonial and revolutionary period history focus. You haven't here focused on any of the podcast? I hope you got a glimpse of what's ahead.

    ReplyDelete

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