October 2 Essay

In the article "Place and Placelessness in American History," David Glassberg analyzes various reasons historians offer to explain America's lack of connection to community and history in general. According to Glassberg, most historians believe that economy has caused Americans to develop a sense of "placelessness," which corrodes Americans perception of uniqueness. These historians tend to point to modern architecture as an example in showing how modern buildings reflect sleek styles, which represents consumer capitalism. According to some historians, this prevents residents from establishing an emotional connection necessary to establish a sense of place. Furthermore, historians argue that Americans are too “geographically mobile” to establish a sense of place and this causes Americans to lack a connection with the land.

In my opinion Glassberg acknowledges most of these viewpoints offered by historians however, he makes minuscule objections. Glassberg offers the idea that when comparing capitalism and feelings of placelessness, one must be aware of is whose place is being talked about. Here Glassberg states that ethnic groups like Native Americans and African Americans have been historically displaced prior to industrialism and modern capitalism. Glassberg also objects to the idea that not all of America is “geographically mobile,” stating that elderly people, young people and poor are immobile. Similarly, people in different levels of society can be affected differently when talking about a sense of place.

Glassberg defined a sense of place as a connection with various objects or environmental stimuli that we attach meaning to. The idea of “sense of place” is obviously different for each person considering not everybody has the same meanings attached to similar objects or places. To put it simply, one person may emphasize more “sense of place” to a particular piece of land if that person has been on that land and experienced an event, in contrast to another person who has never been to that particular piece of land and not experienced a similar event.

Yes, I believe that a “sense of place” did have an impact on the failure of Disney’s America. Due to the fact that Disney wanted to build it so close to the Manassas Battlefield, many historians, politicians and advocates petitioned against Disney from establishing a site so close to a historic battlefield. This is no doubt what it means to have a “sense of place,” these historians and politicians were so connected to the battlefield and even more to history in general to allow Disney the takeover.