Attending a Speech by Ira Berlin on Slavery -- Slavery Race

Rethinking Slavery A Retrospect I recently attended the point out of renowned historian Ira Berlin. professor Berlin is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland. He has also been the recipient of many awards and acknowledgements over the last decade. In 2002, hot seat Clinton appointed Professor Berlin to the advisory committee of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Professor Berlin was visiting the campus as a result of his recent appointment as a Mellon Distinguished Senior Fellow for the spring semester at the University of Illinois. He hosted an invitation-only convention at the Illini Union entitled Transforming Slavery on the daylight following his lecture. Usually when I am on my way to check over a lecture, I am not exactly anxious to come out there. I was, however, anticipating Professor Berlins lecture very much. I had a strong feeling that Professor Berlin was very well established and respected in his field. However, I became frustrated before the lecture even began. fit to various sources I had seen around the University, Professor Berlins lecture was speculate to begin at 230. My plan was to have a conference at 1230 with Professor Rogers, eat some lunch, and and so head to the lecture at about 215. Luckily for me, during my 2conference, I was informed that the lecture began at 330. After reversive to my dorm, I researched the sources again. I found two sources that had the starting time of the lecture as 230, and two sources that had the starting time of the lecture as 330. So, needless to say, I was confused. ... ...of the audience to Professor Berlins lecture, I can only say that the reaction was mixed. I noticed that the scholars and professors on hand were captivated by Berlins presence and were very attentive. I even noticed that a profes sor in front of me literally tried to write every word Berlin spoke. As for the attitude of the lie in attendance, it was rather dull. It seemed that there were some people that seemed moderately kindle in the speech, while others teetered on slumber. I must admit that I was one of the latter (even dosing off occasionally). It just seemed that, overall, the audience, I included, was slightly disappointed in the content and context of Professor Berlins lecture. Although there was a definite feeling that Professor Berlin was a very honored person, he failed to captivate most the audience, which was disappointing to say the least.