mclovin mclean

I have to be honest: I had been to the museum before for a previous class. However, the only gallery I saw was the food exhibit and the Vietnam exhibit. Regardless, I enjoyed my visit. I think the most interesting thing I learned was that Lincoln actually practiced law in McLean County. Its really fascinating to realize that the most popular president in U.S. history got his start here in this county. It was also nice to read more about my personal heritage (Irish) and see how they lived back then. It really grounds you and makes you realize that if Bloomington, IL. wasn't such a hub of life back then, where would I be today? It really makes history and politics come together in that sense. Back then life was a lot simpler, however their problems seemed to be much more important. Regarding farming and soil and just general survival methods to the intense segregation not just in terms of race, but ethnicity.  I loved how they discussed the Germans, the Irish, and then the "Americans" Yikes. Living then was probably such a hassle. People were going to judge you just on where you came from. Regardless of who you really are. I can't imagine living like that, having to hang out with "your own kind" This kind of philosophy certainly shaped their politics back then. And then there is the women.

I think that was one of he major things that stuck out to me: the fact that women fought for sobriety before suffrage. To think, what got women really wanting their rights? When their drunk-ass husband would come home and beat the shit out of them. Go figure. Its just really interesting to see how time has unfolded its self. Today, women are "equal" and we can vote, and by all means drink. So the question remains: what were fighting for exactly? To go out in the workplace and make less money and be judged simply because of our anatomy? I really wish I could have been alive then to see Seneca Falls and the protests and just how the general public handled these situations. It must have been crazy. 

I'm really glad we went to the museum. It definitely put Bloomington on the map for me a bit more since seeing its real roots and how they shaped my world as it is today. More importantly it makes me appreciate how wonderful my life is today here in Bloomington-Normal, 2009.