Again and again, Ayers will bracket a poignant passage from a diary or letter with the phrase “at the time,” to set up contrasts with standard interpretations. In this one, he portrays the courageous determination of African-Americans after emancipation trying to take control of their own destinies. Their hopes are contrasted with the condescending racist attitudes of whites, not simply in Virginia, but also in Pennsylvania. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. He is extraordinarily sensitive when it comes to letting the crescendo of a story speak for itself through a particularly telling sentence from a diary or letter.

Source: New York Times January 12, 2018 09:56 UTC