In this second part of our interview with Dr. Blake Perkins, ASU-Beebe professor of history, we further explore his insights into the culture and politics of rural Arkansans in the Ozark region, who he terms "Ozarkers." In this episode, he provides additional detail into the reality, as opposed to stereotypes, of Ozarkers' frequently described distrust of outsiders. He includes lessons from history and his studies that suggest ways to reduce misunderstandings of people such as rural Arkansans, and he outlines some of the understandable and rational basis for some of their views. He also offers one model of how to use debate exercises in the classroom about historical events as a means of helping students to better appreciate diversity of views and ideologies, while promoting critical thinking about an issue. Current suspicion in some quarters about the value of higher education is also discussed. Dr. Perkins concludes with a humorous story of how another professor's energetic engagement with his class ended up revealing more of the professor than he likely wanted.
#46 John Brummett, prominent and long-time Arkansas journalist & columnist, 8-25-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 46
#45 Kathy Webb, Little Rock city board member and longtime community activist in hunger, LGBTQ, and other issues, 6-21-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 45
#44 Kathy Webb, Little Rock city board member and longtime community activist in hunger, LGBTQ, and other issues,, 6-21-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 44
#43 Lisa McNeir, retired psychologist & Braver Angels Arkansas alliance co-chair, 6-14-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 43
#42 Lisa McNeir, retired psychologist & Braver Angels Arkansas alliance co-chair, 6-14-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 42
#41 Nitin Agarwal UA Little Rock Professor and Social Media influence researcher, 7-18-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 41
#40 Nitin Agarwal, UA-Little Rock Professor and Social Media influence researcher, 7-18-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 40
#39 2023 Braver Angels National Convention recap with April Chatham-Carpenter & Ray Hanley, 8-11-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 39
#38 2023 Braver Angels Convention recap with April Chatham-Carpenter & Ray Hanley, 8-11-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 38
#37 Rebecca Glazier, UA-Little Rock political scientist & Associate Professor, 6-13-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 37
#36 Rebecca Glazier, UA-Little Rock political scientist & Associate Professor, 6-13-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 36
#35 Vic Snyder, former AR congressman, 4-25-23, part 2: OTOH Episode 35
#34 Vic Snyder, former AR congressman, 4-25-23, part 1: OTOH Episode 34
#33 Rita Chisum Braver Angels activist 3-8-23: OTOH Episode 33
#32 Rita Chisum Braver Angels activist 3-8-23: OTOH Episode 32
#31 Chris Jones, Democratic Party candidate, Part 2, 2-14-23: OTOH Episode 31
#30 Chris Jones, Democratic Party candidate, Part 1, 2-14-23: OTOH Episode 30
#29 Caroline Stevenson peace activist 1-20-23 Part 2 Episode 29
#28 Caroline Stevenson peace activist 1-20-23 part 1: OTOH Episode 28
#27 Monica Guzman, author and Braver Angels leader, 2-9-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 27
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