Too often, when the word history is brought up in a conversation, the looks on people’s faces tell the story: A grimace leading into an “oh no, not history” expression.
Those people see history as only dates — July 4, 1776; Dec. 7, 1941; Aug. 9, 1974 — or they remember only how boring the lessons were to them while they were in school.
Yet, history can offer insight into the happenings around us today and explain why things are the way they are.
Beginning Sunday, Lisa Terry, in conjunction with the Cass County Historical Society and using a grant from the McTaggart Charitable Trust, will start interviewing Cass County residents for “Blue Denim Blood,” an oral history of those who have worked and lived here.
The name of the project is tells you everything you need to know. “Blue bloods” are considered the upper echelon of society while “denim” describes the clothing of the working class — farmers, railroad employees and factory workers.
“Blue Denim Blood” will focus on those people who built the county into what it has become, focusing on the railroad workers, the farmers, veterans of World War II and residents with an Italian-American background.
The last time anyone took on a project of this sort was in 1976, the year of the nation’s bicentennial and a time when people wanted to learn more.
In the 30-plus years that have passed since those oral histories were turned into the two-volume book, the county has changed considerably and a number of people’s stories have gone untold.
This project will change that.
“Blue Denim Blood” will be an oral history — taped interviews that will be videotaped and turned into a DVD. They will be sold to the public and possibly aired on the local access cable channel, and they should also be given to the county’s four school corporations to incorporate into their classes.
History offers many lessons for both youth and adults alike, and this project is one that will help to capture those lessons not only for today’s youth but for generations to come.
If you have a story to tell, now is the time to speak up.
Editorials
Capturing the history of Cass County
- Editorials
-
-
A positive step for public schools
Indiana is one of 10 states granted waivers last week from provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The waiver appears to be a step forward for schools across the state.
-
An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.
-
Another step forward for local trails
Local officials broke ground this week on the planned Eel River Run from downtown to Riverside Park. The project will expand a trail system of which the community can be proud.
-
White should not return to office
The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state on charges of voter fraud has left Republicans and Democrats fighting over who will hold the office. No matter how the fight comes out, Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
-
A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.
-
Should schools teach creationism?
The Indiana General Assembly is considering a measure that would allow public schools to teach creationism as long as they include instruction on other reliigious theories. Broadening the instruction to include other religions might address constitutional concerns, but the result might be a class the law’s supporters didn’t envision.
-
Giving every child a chance
Students from Columbia Middle School delivered a message of inclusion in a play last weekend. The message is one that can’t be repeated too often.
-
Testing lawmakers a good idea
A measure requiring drug testing for welfare recipients would also require drug testing for legislators. If lawmakers are going to impose such a requirement on welfare recipients, they should be willing to stand up to the same measure.
-
Peru delivers important message
The city of Peru collected $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed. An aggressive enforcement effort can help the city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
-
Jail GED program a great step
The issue
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has begun offering GED
classes for its prisoners.
Our view
The department, and society at large, will see a huge return on that
investment. - More Editorials Headlines
-
A positive step for public schools
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
