Sunday, July 14, 2013
Crespino's View on Family Relations
I was a bit surprised to read Crespino's description of Thurmonds illegitimate black daughter as loving in the final chapter.
Read it a few times because I couldn't believe his interpretation of her actions or mindset. Am I reading that right? Missing some sort of sarcasm?
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I also find this description interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-hnZVN8lXQ
In this announcement, Thurmond's deaughter says that she and her father had respect for each other. I don't think the author was being sarcastic...just trying to explain a relationship no one really understands.
I actually thought he did a nice job of showing how different groups approached and interpreted the revelation that Thurmond had a black daughter. While I think he is leaning on the side of respect/sympathy for the way that she behaved, I think he also the other interpretations of her actions/mindset through quotes etc?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Richard. I think that while Crespino may have demonstrated some sympathy, that he was attempting to show that race is not a closed dialogue. Rather, he demonstrates that race and its place in America is continuing to be constructed and reconstructed by different groups. I think this serves as a successful way for Crespino to end his work.
ReplyDeleteI think Crespino describes her as the picture of a loving daughter because of how she handled going public with her revelation. She was "respectful," or at least mindful, of Thurmond's reputation by choosing to announce his miscegenation after his death. While I definitely did not get the impression that their relationship was anywhere near loving, I must concede with columnist Kathleen Parker that he was "no deadbeat," as shown by his financial support. However, I think he did this out of a sense of responsibility for her, a sense of duty analogous to a slaveholder. Any love Thurmond had towards his daughter is defined by nineteenth century notions of parental love.
ReplyDeleteLike the rest of the book I think Crespino is trying to make sure readers are not just taking events at face value, or black and white. He is trying to combat the idea of "Ol Strom" was just a racist by complicating this relationship with his mixed race daughter.
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