#2.2 Can tourism help us understand the history of slavery in the United States?

01/27/22 • 43 min

This week, we hear from experts at the Whitney Plantation and Monticello -- two tourist sites that are at the frontlines of contemporary discussions about the experiences of enslaved people and the role of slavery in the United States.

Dr. Joy Banner, Director of Communications at the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana, describes how the site has created a visitor experience that centers the lives of the enslaved people who lived on the plantation.

Justin Bates, a historical interpreter at Thomas Jefferson’s home of Monticello, shares how he and his colleagues teach guests about the contradictions of Jefferson’s life: that he was both the drafter of the Declaration of Independence and a lifelong slave owner who espoused racist views.

We hope this episode gives you some good food for thought, and we would love to hear your reactions. You can reach out by sending us a voice message or saying hello on social media.

Thank you so much for listening!

Resources

The Whitney Plantation website

“Building the first slavery museum in America,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 2015 (unlocked link)

Monticello website

The book that inspired this episode: How the Word is Passed: A reckoning with the history of slavery across America, by Clint Smith

We hope this episode gives you some good food for thought, and we would love to hear your reactions. You can reach out by sending us a voice message or saying hello on social media.

Thank you so much for listening!

Resources

The Whitney Plantation website

“Building the first slavery museum in America,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 2015 (unlocked link)

Monticello website

The book that inspired this episode: How the Word is Passed: A reckoning with the history of slavery across America, by Clint Smith

Previous Episode

#2.1 How can I be a more thoughtful traveler?

Welcome back for Season 2 of The Better Travel Podcast!

What does “thoughtful travel” look like? What are some concrete things that we can do to ensure that we make the most of our travels while also remaining sensitive to the impact of our presence as visitors?

Two guests offer their expert insight: Amanda Kendle, a travel writer and host of the Thoughtful Travel Podcast, and Emily Thomas, an associate professor of philosophy at Durham University and the author of a fascinating book on the philosophy of travel.

We also have a new installment in our language lessons series! Ilihia Gionson of the Hawaii Tourism Authority joins the show to teach Paige some beautiful words in the Hawaiian language.

Thank you so much for listening!

Resources

Amanda Kendle’s blog, Not a Ballerina: https://www.notaballerina.com/

Amanda’s podcast, The Thoughtful Travel Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtful-travel-podcast/id1269489189

RISE Travel Institute: https://www.risetravelinstitute.org/

Website of Emily Thomas: https://emilythomaswrites.co.uk/

Emily’s book: https://bookshop.org/books/the-meaning-of-travel-philosophers-abroad/9780198835400

Next Episode

#2.3 Can tourism be a force for peace?

This week, Paige is joined by Aziz Abu Sarah, an author, National Geographic explorer, and co-founder of Mejdi Tours, a company that aims to promote peace and understanding through its innovative tours of places like Israel and Palestine, Colombia, the Balkans, Northern Ireland — and Washington, D.C.

Aziz shares how his childhood growing up as a Palestinian in Jerusalem shaped his understanding of the world, and he offers some excellent advice for anyone looking to have more meaningful experiences when they travel.

Plus, listen up for the latest instalment of our language lessons series, in which Paige learns some phrases in Swahili.

Thank you so much for listening!

Resources

Mejdi Tours

Aziz’s book, Crossing Boundaries: A traveler’s guide to world peace

Aziz’s TED Talk