Comments on refined paper topics.

I'm glad to find that most of you have been thinking about your topics and making some choices about what it is that really interests you within the broader themes that you identified last week. Today in class we will be talking more about your topics, and you will have a chance to reflect on your classmates' posts. I will make a few brief comments though in anticipation of what we hope will be a much more in depth discussion this afternoon:

Tom--Using McGirr's book as inspiration is a great idea as I think that she picks up many of the themes that interest you. You might want to look through McGirr and see which figures or organizations mentioned have papers at the Hoover (or elsewhere in the Bay). Just keep in mind that people who worked exclusively in Orange County are as likely as not to have repositories of papers at UC Irvine, so you might find that you're hitting on people, organizations, campaigns, lobbies etc. that had more of a state-wide influence, rather than a focus on one particular county.
Alice--I'm glad you've been thinking of strikes that might fit your project, but Homestead might be a tough one as far as finding primary source material in the area. I'd talk with a librarian at Green and search the OAC asap. It's probably going to be easier though if you start looking around to see if there are any local strikes that might be interesting to you, since then you could more easily use the SF Public Library's archives. Maybe a strike with Pinkerton involvement? Have you thought also about doing a project that's more focused on Pinkerton activity in San Francisco?
Andrea--The idea of using comedy is a great idea though you're right to think that the major problem might be in finding archival material on black comedy or comedians. That said, the Oakland African American Museum and Library might have a great deal of material. I also wonder if there isn't another good media collection around that you might use. You'll have to do some research in to media collections in the area that have materials related to black comedy.
Chris--Since you're topic is already quite refined, I'll just reemphasize that I hope you visit the Chinese American Historical Society as soon as possible and get started. Even if you don't go in the next few days, you should start to contact the archivists today or tomorrow so that they can start to help you identify materials. Also, to follow up on our discussion Tuesday, we had mentioned trying to find permits and other records for Chinese (owned) restaurants in Palo Alto. I don't know if you've found other types of businesses, but while you're there, you should make sure to do a broader search so that you don't miss other businesses like laundries etc.
Sylvie--I noticed that you did not mention Catholicism in your post. Even though you might have to drop it in the final paper, there's a good possibility that you will be able to find a great deal of information on the subject through papers at the Hoover (other than WFB's). Also, do you know where William Buckley Sr.'s papers are? I'd bet the answer is Yale, but it might be interesting to look at family papers if they're around.

Also, remember that even though you will have a chance to discuss topics with each other in class, we encourage you to comment on the blog. Last week we had some great feedback coming in on most of the posts, and I hope you'll continue to engage with your colleagues through the medium of the blog.