Melvin C. Shaffer World War II Photographs housed at the DeGolyer Library depict local populations and conditions of North Africa, Italy, Southern France, and Germany from the years 1943 to 1945. Included are images of war-torn Europe with shattered buildings, wounded soldiers, army hospitals and bases, and even Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in 1944. Melvin…Continue Reading Melvin C. Shaffer World War II Photographs
Collection spotlight: Everett Spruce Collection
The staff of Bywaters Special Collections is excited about the upcoming exhibition, Texas Made Modern: The Art of Everett Spruce, at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth. This exhibition, showcasing the work of the Texas regionalist artist, runs from August 18 – November 1, 2020. Shirley Reece-Hughes, Curator of Paintings and…Continue Reading Collection spotlight: Everett Spruce Collection
SMU Libraries Digital Collections Update: June 2020
In June 2020, SMU Libraries uploaded 379 items into SMU Libraries Digital Collections. Highlights include: 19 images, ca. 1910-1920, from the Elmer and Diane Powell Collection on Mexico and the Mexican Revolution. These images, taken around Mexico, feature Mexican and United States soldiers, several Mexican generals, and various other scenes. One example is a squadron…Continue Reading SMU Libraries Digital Collections Update: June 2020
Treasure Chest of Fine Foods
It seems everyone handled the shelter-in-place order a little differently. Some used the time to complete some long overdue home projects, others used the time to exercise or learn languages. Many in the library and archives profession got crafty. Sadly for me, I never managed to learn knitting or crocheting and my artistic skills never…Continue Reading Treasure Chest of Fine Foods
Learning to Engage in Anti-Racism
A Message from SMU Libraries’ Dean, Holly Jeffcoat: Books, and the ideas they contain, are key resources when people are confronted with new ideas and problems. They help us learn from experts, dig deeper into our past, and contemplate ideas in a personal and focused way. As the events unfolded around the death of George…Continue Reading Learning to Engage in Anti-Racism
Anti-Racism Starter Kit
Dismantling systemic racism requires individuals, especially those privileged by a racist system, to proactively inform themselves, recognize their role, and take an active stand against the racism inherent in our society – including SMU. The resources below are by no means exhaustive, but can help you get started in that process. Antiracism/Talking About Race America’s…Continue Reading Anti-Racism Starter Kit
Discussing Racism With Children (by Age Group)
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times about racism, the author Ibram X. Kendi discussed the need to talk about racism with children: “When children ask a racial question and we don’t want to talk about it, the message is that race and racism should not be talked about. White parents especially don’t…Continue Reading Discussing Racism With Children (by Age Group)
Black Lives Matter
Today’s social environment reflects the turbulent and difficult times in which we find ourselves. We are experiencing national and global anger over the senseless killing of George Floyd and other African Americans by police. Black lives do matter, and people of good will acutely feel for those who are in pain. We are aware that…Continue Reading Black Lives Matter
Footage Found – SMU student collaborative project between Meadows and Jones Film and Video Collection
Footage Found was a collaborative project between students in the Video Art course (ASPH 3315) in the Meadows Division of Art and the G. William Jones Film and Video Collection at SMU. The students were provided footage from the WFAA TV News Film archive, part of the Jones Collection’s holdings, to create new works from…Continue Reading Footage Found – SMU student collaborative project between Meadows and Jones Film and Video Collection
Exploring the Voices of SMU Collection
Last week, black students and alumni on Twitter described the racism, hate-speech, microaggressions, and harassment by police that they faced at SMU, with the hashtag #BlackAtSMU To learn more about the historical experiences of black students at SMU, consider exploring the Voices of SMU Oral History and Digital Humanities Student Projects. The university archives is…Continue Reading Exploring the Voices of SMU Collection