I’m not very computer savvy, for starters. Took me a while to figure out that I needed to log in in order to do this post. But now that I’ve worked out those kinks I might as well make it a good one.
The first week of class was interesting. Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of video conferencing but I’m wiling to give this a try in the name of higher education. I also found the subject of the course to be rather interesting. Being a history major I’ve spent most of my college career studying strife among groups of people, however, I’ve never studied the real history behind Berkshire County. (That’s where my college, MCLA, is located. It’s also where I’ve grown up). As I have learned through my many years on this earth, there is a lot of history in this area; some interesting, some not so much. Famous authors like Susan B. Anthony, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. and Jr., to name just a few, lived here in Berkshire County. Huge multi-million dollar companies, like GE and Beloit, have come and gone through this same county, while others, like Crane and Company, are still kicking. Famous places of music and culture like Jacob’s Pillow, Tanglewood, and half a dozen theatre companies have all called this place home for who knows how long! There’s quite a bit to talk about here in the 413.
Finding a conflict in which to research and study shouldn’t be too much of a problem. It’s finding one that has a high impact on many people in the area. We are very much a divided county. The closing of mills and factories has left many working/middle class families out of a job, however, the upper class families can still afford to enjoy the theatre and museums that pepper this area. There is a lot of spite, anger, and tension…
On that note, I guess this is my first blog. Ever. Hope you enjoyed it!