Creating a research bibliography using library databases (4 pts) - Ariana Singleton, Class of 2029

 

If there is one thing I have learned during my time at Spelman so far, it’s the importance of using your resources to the fullest. Oftentimes, we become so accustomed to our usual way of doing tasks and assignments, we begin to overlook resources offered by our college, such as library research databases. During the fall semester, two of my teachers challenged me to utilize the library research databases in my research for my critical essays. My first course, Black Presence in American Dance, required me to write an essay centred around an important contributor to the evolution of jazz dance. My contributor was the Whitman sisters, a traveling group of sisters who became the highest paid act on the Negro Vaudeville circuit during the early 20th century. Unfortunately, they were one of the lesser known contributors to the art form, resulting in a lack of primary sources to access. When I expressed my dilemma to my professor, Dr. Julie B. Johnson, she showed me an array of databases accessible from the AUC library website that allowed me to find newspapers and articles from the 20th century about the Whitman Sisters. Using these databases allowed me to broaden my perspective on how the Whitman Sisters were perceived while they were touring. 

Additionally, I was challenged to use the library research databases for my African Diaspora and the World critical essay. My essay focused on the similarities and differences between resistance methods in the southern US and Haiti. Because of the themes of oratorical history within ADW, our professor, Dr. Richardson, implored us to use clips from the History Makers archive as sources. The History Makers archive has a variety of filmed interviews with a number of prominent Black figures. Through this archive, I was able to cite events in the Haitian resistance such as the voodoo ceremony that incited the initial Haitian revolt in 1791. In conclusion, using library databases for school essays have also opened my eyes to the vast amount of resources I can use for future assignments! 

Best, 

Ariana Singleton 

First Year Biology Major