Introduction to Virtual Reality and the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement is a major a part of American history, and understanding its impact generally is a powerful experience. Eastern Oregon University is providing students and college with the chance to step into the past and witness events of the Civil Rights Movement through virtual reality. This modern approach to learning is made possible by the EOU Library, in collaboration with history faculty and the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion.
Virtual Reality Programs
Two educational virtual reality programs are being offered: "I Am A Man" and "Driving While Black." These programs provide an immersive experience, allowing users to explore historical events in a singular and interesting way. "I Am A Man" is an immersive documentary that focuses on archival primary sources, including recordings, images, and materials from the time period. "Driving While Black," however, is a virtual reality experience that features real-world imagery and functions as an oral history, with users being told personal stories while sitting in a restaurant booth.
How the Programs Work
"I Am A Man" puts users on the bottom in the course of the 1968 Memphis sanitation staff strike, cycling through various computer-generated scenes and locations, culminating within the assassination of Martin Luther King. The experience lasts 10 minutes and uses a combination of animation and archived images with some interactivity. Users can take part in events leading as much as the sanitation staff’ strike, reminiscent of picking up a garbage can and dumping it right into a truck. "Driving While Black" provides a totally different type of experience, with users sitting in a restaurant booth and listening to private stories from individuals who’ve experienced racial inequality.
Goals and Impact
The goal of those virtual reality programs is to supply students with context and understanding of the Civil Rights Movement, in addition to the greater cultural, social, and historical impact of the era. By experiencing these events in a singular and immersive way, students can gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives and experiences of others. The programs are supposed to act as a jumping-off point for greater student curiosity, generating more interest within the history of civil rights and racial inequality.
Availability and Accessibility
The virtual reality programs can be found within the Multicultural Center and the library, with scheduled appointments available online. Two Oculus VR headsets can be found, one for every program, and a separate screen is offered within the Multicultural Center to view the programs while they’re being experienced by other students. Assistant Professor of History Mike Mortimer can even give a presentation covering material shown within the programs.
Conclusion
The use of virtual reality to explore the Civil Rights Movement is a robust and modern approach to learning. By providing an immersive and interactive experience, students can gain a deeper understanding of historical events and their impact on society. The programs offered by Eastern Oregon University are a singular opportunity for college students to interact with the past and gain a brand new perspective on the current. As technology continues to evolve, it’ll be exciting to see how virtual reality is used to reinforce our understanding of history and promote empathy and understanding.
