Object Project

Karla Berrios explores the turbulent race context surrounding Baby Nancy, "the first Black baby doll made by African Americans for African Americans." Berrios takes us through the racist history of previous Black dolls, negatively stereotyped by their white creators. Baby Nancy's debut in 1969 follows on the heels of race riots, emerging from the site of one of the most well known clashes, Watts. Listen to hear more about the positive effects of this groundbreaking plaything.

Audrey Ross details what a cast iron children's toy from the late nineteenth century tells us about racial and economic instruction for white children. Through gross stereotypes of Black children and simple mechanical devices, such popular items taught racial prejudices alongside values of thrift and industry.

In this episode, Chase Warchol examines a 1940s Boy Scout Uniform. Come along with us to hear how the material details of this paramilitary garb represents the fears and hopes of a generation. Embedded in the hunter green socks and khaki pants are the ways in which the designers' ideals of nature and masculinity fit into mainstream aspirations for American boys.

Brian Fiore walks up through a sensory journey of a nearly universal childhood staple: Crayola Crayons. Through examining a 1903 box of crayons on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American history, Fiore looks at the production, distribution, color names, and more of these iconic items.

Edward Tatum, UNCW MA student and Colonial Williamsburg enthusiast, tells us all about the historical importance of the "Pudding cap." Pudding caps were toddler crash helmets whose material details offer information about its owner's class and status and about societal ideas about childhood at the dawn of the American Revolution. 

Graduate student Aryn explores the making and meaning of the 1898 Memorial installed in Wilmington, North Carolina more than a century after the violent events of Nov 10, 1898. Along the way, Aryn looks at the false historical memories that forestalled public acknowledgment of the role of white supremacy in the coup and massacre and examines the political process of memorialization.

In the seventh episode of this season's Object Project, undergraduate Brian explores the violent white supremacists, The Red Shirts. Through examining the material and meaning of the symbolic garment, Brian shows how intimidation was central to many steps of the conspiracy to overthrow democratically elected officials, costing many Black lives along the way. 

Undergraduate History student Buket describes how a small personal pin worn on a man's lapel over a hundred years ago leads us to a century-long legacy of violence and political control. The Wilmington Light Infantry played a central role in the coup and massacre of 1898. The men who wore such a badge have last names that still resonate powerfully in Wilmington today. 

Graduate student Maddie outlines the intimidating role of an expensive, high-powered weapon in the massacre and coup of 1898. The almost -100-pound rapid-fire gun may not have taken many lives on November 11, but it was given place of privilege in the white supremacist plans to take over Wilmington. 

UNCW history undergrad Nicole discusses the secondhand printing press used by Black newspaper editor Alex Manly to combat the white supremacist media rhetoric vilifying Black men as rapists and dishonesties politicians. Manly's press was specifically targeted in the November 1898 violence, as the perpetrators burned the building housing the machine nearly to the ground.