Hello to my fellow historians and blogging pals! My name is Shae Corey and I am a first year student in the Public History MA program at American University. I recently graduated in May of 2020 (yes, I walked across my back porch to receive a fake diploma) with a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education. In undergrad, I completed grant-funded oral history work and digital history work, and had the time of my life doing it. I was able to create a digital archive for an historically African-American neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama that has been plagued by recurrent issues of gentrification and has campaigned for historical recognition as a once-segregated neighborhood (https://rosedalememoryproject.omeka.net/). Go ahead and check it out!
My main historical interests include community history, African American history, cultural history and oral history. I am excited to learn how to best utilize digital tools to convey history across a variety of platforms. In the modern era (especially the COVID era), it is essential for historians to understand and use digital spaces to create spaces for conversation, engagement, and learning.
I am excited to learn new things and expand my skill set in this class. It’s a perfect time to embrace the digital, and I’m personally pumped to see what we can all accomplish this semester.
Before I go, I’ll leave you with a few things about me that aren’t academic. The absolute love of my life is my dog, Cooper, seen below as a puppy. He lives in Florida where he can always run around outside. I currently live in Washington DC with my Museum Studies roommate who attends GW. We watch a lot of true crime series and 80s movies. I was raised by a stay at home dad while my mom worked as a midwife for the Navy. I’m a bit of a klutz and sprained my ankle just walking a few days ago (it was a very public tumble outside of the grocery store, I was mildly embarrassed). I love my program and this city, and I’m looking forward to the rest of my time at AU.
If you have any questions for me, always feel free to ask. I am a very open book. Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Thanks for sharing the link to the Rosedale Memory project. We are also working with community oral histories in Alabama and I would love to learn more about this exciting public history project.