For our first module, we read Chapters 1, 2, and 4 of Age of Fracture by Daniel T. Rogers. Here is my reading response:
Age of Fracture by Daniel T. Rodgers explains the different shifts in intellectual life during the late 20th Century. Chapter One talks about a shift from collectivism to individualism, the "me decade". This chapter also focused on changes in presidential speeches, especially Reagan, as he emphasized personal responsibility and a reduced role for the government, as seen in his first inaugural address in 1981. Reagan’s communication style and ability to connect with the people evoked emotions throughout his speeches, by which he could influence public opinion in ways no previous president ever had. Chapter Two focuses more on the shift from Keynesian economics to market-oriented and supply-side economics. Instead of letting the government intervene and manage everything, deregulation happened, a reduction in taxes, and there were more individual decision-making powers. Chapter Four talks about the shift in social and political thought when it comes to race and identity. Race was now seen as a social construct rather than a fixed biological category, and scholars emphasized the role that all cultures play in shaping social realities. During the late 20th Century, marginalized groups began to assert their identities and demand recognition and rights while intellectuals and activists such as Martin Luther King Jr, Alex Haley, W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Jesse Jackson, Toni Morrison, Cornel West, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, and many others, influenced and reshaped the discourse around race and identity for years to come.
As I was reading chapter four, many of the names of intellectuals and activists were very familiar to me. I am an avid reader, especially when it comes to biographies, memoirs, non-fiction, or historical fiction. The names of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, Alex Haley, and James Baldwin were all familiar because I have read their books as they are now banned. You may be familiar with some of the titles as they used to be required reading in school some time ago. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Roots, Beloved, The Bluest Eyes, Go Tell It to the Mountain, and The Color Purple are just some of the titles that you may have heard of. Many of these books are critical as they talk about slavery and the violence that occurred that caused significant historical trauma that should not be forgotten or swept under the rug. The powerful storytelling in each of these works is what makes them masterful and deserving of a place amongst other great authors. Banning books limits our access to diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints, which is essential for fostering empathy and tolerance. Many of the banned books today reflect the period in which they were written, so banning them essentially erases important parts of history that need to be talked about, remembered, and not forgotten.
Amy Brouwer . 2025 . All Rights Reserved
