For this assignment, I chose an article called “How historians are using high-tech tools to reconstruct Black history”, by Ja’han Jones.
It is a fantastic narrative, and Dave Tell’s work demonstrates just how effectively technology can preserve and reinterpret history, especially when it comes to reviving memories of significant occasions like Emmett Till’s lynching. The work being done by Tell and other historians and digital artists is genuinely groundbreaking, not only in terms of preservation but also in terms of how they interact with the public and make sure that history is always changing considering fresh information.
It’s crucial that Tell emphasizes the use of digital instruments to counteract historical oblivion. For a story as sensitive as Till’s, where the truth has frequently been masked by disinformation, obfuscation, and even political manipulation, technological tools like virtual tours, augmented reality, and 3D reconstructions offer a platform that makes it possible to communicate these challenging facts in more captivating, immersive ways. Even if they are unable to visit the areas where these events occurred, these technologies allow users to engage with history in a very intimate way and experience them firsthand.
“Emmett Till Memory Project” is a great illustration of this approach. Tell and his colleagues’ use of technology to produce a “living” history one that may change in response to fresh research and scholarly work marks a significant departure from the conventional, static character of printed histories. History can always be reinterpreted thanks to the internet’s real-time updating capabilities, which may be crucial for a more complex comprehension of historical injustices.
Because digital history projects are so adaptable, new voices can be added to the story at any time. Digital history can be updated to represent continuous discussions about race and justice as more information becomes available, as more individuals can share their experiences, and as more general discussions take shape. In this sense, these digital tools actively influence how history is perceived and remembered in the present rather than only conserving it.
Do you personally participate in any comparable digital history projects, or have you come across any other noteworthy instances of the application of technology to historical recovery and preservation?
Reference
NBCUniversal News Group. (2023, July 26). Caroline Randall Williams: Remembering Emmett Till is a “radical act of freedom.” MSNBC. https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/caroline-randall-williams-remembering-emmett-till-is-a-radical-act-of-freedom-189277253757
NBCUniversal News Group. (2024, February 13). How historians are using high-tech tools to reconstruct black history. MSNBC. https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/technology-tools-black-history-reconstruction-rcna138174
