Rochester Oasis Classes

Isabel Wilkerson’s recent book 'Caste:  The Origins of our Discontents' will be reviewed first (Reading this is suggested but not required.)  It will provide a background to understanding the endemic of racism that she states she and all Black people feel and deal with in their daily lives. She also states that our society today is best defined by its rigid social hierarchy, which derives in great degree from racism and is best described as a true caste system.  From this we will proceed to “how we got here,” with a chronological look at how the racism created and fostered by the slave system developed into the dominant social, cultural, political and economic force which so troubles our present.  We will discuss the evolution of the American slave system in early America, the direct connection of slavery to the Civil War, the post war effort of Reconstruction, its collapse and the creation of the white supremacist doctrine of subjugation and domination known as Jim Crow. To conclude we’ll look at subsequent history up to the present and why “Past is, indeed Present.”   Finally, as an illustration, a relevant look at today’s angry efforts by many who demand that a realistic teaching of this subject in American schools be prevented and that many books describing it be banned.

Each year during Mr. Eastman's residency between 1902 and 1932, except during a wartime coal shortage in 1918, flowering bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils provided a full spectrum of color and fragrance during the winter months. Now, each year the Eastman House recreates a particular year in the house's history by exactly duplicating Mr. Eastman's order for that year of thousands of bulbs from Holland. In addition to the many spring flowers will be beautiful orchids - a favorite of Mr. Eastman. This is a self guided visit through the Mansion and the gallery and can tour the marvelous floral displays on your own as well.  There is a café and gift shop for you to enjoy.  Please stay as long as you'd like and you may purchase a ticket for a friend.  Registration deadline is 2/8/22 at noon.

Explore the true lives and stories of Wild Bill Hickok and Wyatt Earp, perhaps the most famous gunslingers and lawmen of the Wild West including the towns they tamed such as Abilene, Wichita, and Dodge City. Not forgotten is the gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the vendetta ride years later. We will separate fact from fiction.  For instance, did you know Wild Bill performed once at Cooks Opera house on South Ave in Rochester in a Wild West theatrical show? We will learn about the women in their lives including their lovers and wives from Calamity Jane to Josephine Earp. Tom will present an interesting character study with numerous photos of both men in different stages of their lives.