During the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, life had change for humans all across the world.  What started as an outbreak in a Chinese city, within a few months spread across the world.  Suddenly, everyday life for humans around the world changed drastically.  Routines things such as trips to the grocery store, gym, and even traveling to work for some came to a stop. One of the things I use to do frequently was go to the gym, so when it closed, I order a resistance band set to keep me in shape.  I know many are wondering how this has any significance to me, let me explain.  As for many people, this pandemic was a difficult time for me.  My aunt died from Covid early July, me and her son grew up like brothers so you can imagine how close we were. Then a couple of weeks later, I had the virus.  At first, I felt that I would get over it quickly, but then for over the course of two months I kept getting positive tests back.  My family and I began to worry, because we just buried a family a few weeks ago.  Sitting isolated in my home I began to wonder things, like when will I get over this.  Due to the uncertainty of this virus, it was hard for me to remain calm and positive. I needed something to take my mind off this situation, that is where the resistance bands set come into play.  The set came with five resistance bands, five loop bands, and a jump rope. It is made out of latex rubber, its purpose is intended for a full body workout.  The bands consist of five colors, black, red, blue, green, and yellow ranging from ten to fifty pounds of resistance. This product is made in China, and it is a very common product that can be used by any age ranging from teen to adult. When I was going through my situation, this was something to take my mind off it.  But it became a routine thing for me, it took my mind out of a depressing state.  I began looking into ways to improve my overall health, even though it is not bad. I know to most people this does not have a significant meaning, but it did to me.  I keep my bands put up in my laundry room, I still use because it I’m still not comfortable going back outside.  I do find it funny how something so simple became a big part of my exercise routine and help me take my mind off the negative thoughts.  Looking back, I would like people to understand how these simple objects was therapeutic to me and how it help get me through my situation.

I decided to talk about my experience with covid-19, and how it affected my life due to my previous positive test this past summer. Before covid my daily life was simple, I went to school and work mainly, also the grocery store here and there. I sometimes went out to a bar, not too much though. When covid hit us during the spring semester, I was back home for spring break, and that is when I found out that campus was completely shut down. Other than virtual classes, the shutdown was not a big adjustment for me since I lived off campus. I had to adjust to wearing a mask everywhere I went, which can be irritating sometimes. Fortunately, I was still able to work because Home Depot was an essential business (Yeah, I thought it was odd too). Working at Home Depot became a little stressful, because it became very busy and we had to deal with customers that opposed the new guidelines of the store. Things such as limiting the number of customers in the store and trying to get them to wear mask among other things. Even though the job was stressful at times, I never complained because I was blessed and extremely grateful to have during these times.

            It was strange seeing the whole world shutting down, never thought I would witness something so epic. Seeing people wearing mask everywhere you go and staying six feet apart from each other has become the new norm. Right before covid-19 became a pandemic I became involved with the history club here at Auburn, I do not know when meetings will resume if ever. In July I tested positive for Covid-19, the first week was rough. My symptoms were fever, chills, and bad coughing spells, during the fourteen days of quarantine I stayed in my room and stay hydrated. The timing was bad since I was in the middle of moving to a new place, good thing I have some friends that got my stuff for me and helped me through the process. When it was time for me to take my next test, I had no more problems or any symptoms. But I still tested positive, three more to be exact, the frustration I felt was nerve wrecking. I was fortunate that Home Depot was still paying me, because if it were not for that, I would have been in a real bind. My family takes covid very serious and was worried after all those positive tests because they had their own experience with Covid-19. My dad and his wife previously had Covid and had to quarantine for twenty-one days. Also, my aunt died from it earlier in July, she did have pre-existing health conditions that contributed to her dying from Covid. Everyone is doing fine now including me four positive tests, I finally tested negative on the fifth one. I was told that doctors found out that some people may still have particles in their sinus area, which will keep you testing positive. So, after my last positive test, I started flushing my sinus area and my next test came back negative. It feels good now that I can leave home, I still do not go anywhere but to the store. Now that I am Covid free, I donate plasma. Since I have antibodies that fights the virus, my plasma is in high demand. We have a family reunion planned for this upcoming summer, but we are not certain what is going to happen due this pandemic. But our hopes are high.

I interview Dr. Timothy Dodge, history and political science librarian at Auburn University.

What does public history mean to you?

“Public History is the study of history outside of academics, things such as Museums displays, historic sites.” Dr. Dodge also mentions movies, “not a big blockbuster, but more like documentaries and other informative films.” Also, he mentioned an automobile museum which he has been to a few of them.

Did you always see yourself in your career field?

“Yes, I attended school at Columbia University to become a librarian at twenty-two years old since after I got my bachelor’s degree in history from the University of New Hampshire.” Dr. Dodge also mentions he later went and got his doctorate in history. The decision was easy for him, as he states he enjoyed being in the library since he was a child.

Can you explain the process of becoming a public historian?

“Just getting out there and meet other historians. Do internships at museums, parks things like that, gain credentials, and get involved in public relations.

What is your favorite part of your profession?

“Other than helping students find sources for research topics, Publishing articles and books, peer reviews, researching, identifying and locating sources.” Also, Dr. Dodge mentioned he likes getting emails from random people, telling him how much they enjoyed his books or articles, and the feedback he gets from them.

What advice would you give history majors that is interested in being a public historian?

“Be flexible, use the technological change to your advantage, learn and take advantage of sources online. Be imaginative and establish a personal connection with historian.” Dr. Dodge talked about the connection he had established with Donald Vincent the head library director at the University of New Hampshire. Donald Vincent went on to mentor Dr. Dodge not only as a student but also after he became a librarian.

The process was familiar to me, I did a similar survey about a year with my old roommate.  I asked similar questions about his background, and it was also history related.  But it was more about the list of things that he watched or heard regarding history. For example, what museum you last visited, last history documentary he watched. The process was the same, the survey went smooth for both individuals, they were both similar to my age I think that helped a lot. The first survey was simpler than this one, the questions asked was more direct, it did not need explanation. This survey requires the person to elaborate on some questions, some of the questions require you to not only give an answer but explain your reason why you gave it.  The only problem I ran into with survey was the person I interview, he did not been to recently been to museums or read any book regarding to history. Overall, I would not change the survey, I felt it was a good way to see what we are learning as far as history, not only our preferences.

My first experience was when I was in first grade, we went on a field trip to the Rice museum in my hometown in Georgetown, South Carolina. There I learned about the major role Georgetown played exporting goods during the 18th and 19th century.

                Monuments and statues that celebrates figures of the past, whom have a controversial background has been the topic of discussion for years when talking about removing them.  Perhaps this year the discussion has become even greater during recent months, largely due to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.  It reminds me of the controversy that was caused by the tragedy that took place at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Due to the incident, Governor Haley had the Confederate flag removed from the state’s Capitol.  Opposing clashed over the decision one side supporting Haley’s decision and the other opposing it.  The monuments and statues that are being removed now, are symbols of the confederacy.  But when these statues and monuments is removed, what happens to them.  I do not believe the confederate monuments or symbols should be destroyed, because it is American history.  I think they should not only be used to teach about the good that were thought of them during those times, but also the bad and ugly they represented.  The monuments should be in a place where the whole history of that era should be represented along with the heroes of the other side of the cause, the heroes that stood up to the oppression and gave their life fighting.  I understand how people that are descendants of confederate soldiers have pride towards the confederacy, their ancestors fought and died for a cause.  But on the other side there is another group of people that died and fought against the system of slavery and exploitation that the confederates represented.  I understand during this time when these monuments and statues were built, they were made to represented pride to the south.  But to color people, these statues promote racism and bigotry during a time when their ancestors were enslaved and exploited.