Tribute Or Tribulation? How do we commemorate history? What is the best way to remember a conflicted and painful past? And who gets to decide?
In Sedalia, Missouri, Marge Harlan spent $25,000 of her own money to build a "slave cabin." While she meant the cabin to honor the courage and resilience of African-Americans, many in the community, especially people of color, have found the gesture problematic and offensive.
We ask, how do we commemorate history? What is the best way to remember a conflicted and painful past? And who gets to decide? Listen here »
Guests:
- Marge Harlan, retired psychologist, NAACP secretary, owner at Rose M. Nolen Black History Library
- Randal Jelks, professor of African-American studies, University of Kansas
- Monroe Dodd, KCUR's resident historian