Faculty
Social Science; History
Supervisor Name
Prof. Frank Schumacher
Description
My USRI presentation details the storied life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. I examine the recent push in American society towards historical revisionism; the process of invoking nuanced perspectives to assess historical figures, and how this lens has led to a re-evaluation of Roosevelt. Roosevelt has been subject to scrutiny specifically in regards to his flawed ideologies (in comparison to 21st century progressive standards) pertaining to race and gender.
My presentation focuses on the commemoration of Roosevelt, particularly his controversial equestrian statues. I examine how both statues have been removed, (although by vastly different means) and how the memory of Roosevelt present a broader and troubling problem: how should we deal with past historical icons whose complex legacies conflict with today's values?
Acknowledgements
I would to thank Prof. Schumacher for his continued assistance and enlightening discussions throughout my USRI, as well as the Western USRI program for giving me this opportunity.
Document Type
Poster
Theodore Roosevelt's Relevancy Today: Historical Memory in the 21st Century
My USRI presentation details the storied life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. I examine the recent push in American society towards historical revisionism; the process of invoking nuanced perspectives to assess historical figures, and how this lens has led to a re-evaluation of Roosevelt. Roosevelt has been subject to scrutiny specifically in regards to his flawed ideologies (in comparison to 21st century progressive standards) pertaining to race and gender.
My presentation focuses on the commemoration of Roosevelt, particularly his controversial equestrian statues. I examine how both statues have been removed, (although by vastly different means) and how the memory of Roosevelt present a broader and troubling problem: how should we deal with past historical icons whose complex legacies conflict with today's values?