You remind me that still we have not come nearly so far nearly as fast as we might think. I think that my graduating class of '76 was the first 'integrated' class from my high school. And my kids probably couldn't tell you what segregation was...
rxBambi--Yes, it was quite a moment. For everyone. Glad I was able to pass on a little of what it felt like. Amazing.
Joyce--It was the proximity that was mind-blowing, to a generation so seemingly far from us, yet so close.
Sheila--I know. I graduated in '70 and I'm sure, though my kids understaned theoretically what happened, they are quite removed from the reality. And yet, it's still far from over. But to see two generations looking to one another like that, connecting.... Awesome.
I have goosebumps reading this..wow is all I can really say. I think so many times we get so caught up in our daily lives that we don't pay attention to the elderly that are a fountain of information...first hand information...that will soon pass away from this earth never to have the stories told. And they do love to recant their stories is we'll just listen. What a moment!
Oh Barb..that was wonderful!! What a blessing to have been there. Wow..I was deeply touched by my experiences with Ola Mae..I wish I could find her again!! Wonderful post hon! Love, Sarah
Have you ever read Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn? Or Tom Sawyer, for that matter? That Twain was a genius, of course, doesn't need saying. He had his finger on the ironic pulse of America in the mid-19th century.
A few years ago, a show called "Big River" made it to Broadway. It was a musical, with music by Roger Miller, and the 'book' was nearly lifted directly from the Twain novel, "Huckleberry Finn."
We went to see a small theater production of "Big River" this afternoon in Hollywood. It seemed strange that they would choose this relatively BIG production to do in a small theater and we were curious as to how they'd manage it. Well, it was a terrific, theater-in-the-round experience.
For those who don't remember the story, it's the continuation of the old Tom Sawyer/ Jim story that came before it, but this is Huck's adventure with Jim (as a runaway slave) up the Mississippi River. [Image] Of course slavery is the theme, and even Huck's struggle to be free of civilized convention. But by the end of the show, (this was the final performance of an extended run) half the actors were in tears and so were we.
What was so amazing though was that after the performance, they did a "Sunday talk back" after the show, where audience members can stay and ask the cast questions or comment on the show. There were the usual comments, nothing much too interesting.
And then...
This old black woman raised her hand. She was 87 years old and she said she'd been raised by her grandparents who had been slaves in the 1850-60's and when she was a girl, they would tell her stories about slavery and "those days" on the front porch of their house. You could hear the emotion in her choked voice as she said how much the play had moved her and made her remember all of those days, and stories, and her grandparents. And she thanked the cast for the experience.
We were all tearing up, in awe of this moment. Because I never imagined I'd hear an eye witness (once removed) account of slavery in my lifetime.
How near we are to losing the last surviving hearers. To learn from the source what went so awfully wrong in our country so long ago. 87! And her grandparents grew up as slaves.
The cast unanimously burst into tears at her words. The producer, already emotional, literally sobbed. Later, the young black actresses who'd played slaves, sat beside her and held her hand.
13 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formHow wonderful that you were able to experience this! Even I am moved, just reading about it, half a world away. Thank you so much for sharing!
November 15, 2009 at 10:12 PM
What a privilege to have heard her!
November 16, 2009 at 5:59 AM
Oh yes, I adore Huck Finn. I think Tom Sawyer is a sociopath though. Seriously.
November 16, 2009 at 6:00 AM
Barbara: How moving! What a privilege it was to be there. Thank you for sharing it here.
November 16, 2009 at 6:02 AM
We never do know when a moment will come - that will change our lives for ever, do we?
What a moving story.
November 16, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Thanks all for your comments.
And yes, Debra, I totally agree about Tom Sawyer. An unrepentant sociopath!! Heee-heee!
November 16, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Just reading about that woman brought tears to my eyes. I've read Huck Finn, but it was many years ago. I guess I'll have to put it back on my list.
November 17, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Very moving to have someone tell their story first hand.
Joyce
November 18, 2009 at 12:56 PM
You remind me that still we have not come nearly so far nearly as fast as we might think. I think that my graduating class of '76 was the first 'integrated' class from my high school. And my kids probably couldn't tell you what segregation was...
November 19, 2009 at 2:28 PM
rxBambi--Yes, it was quite a moment. For everyone. Glad I was able to pass on a little of what it felt like. Amazing.
Joyce--It was the proximity that was mind-blowing, to a generation so seemingly far from us, yet so close.
Sheila--I know. I graduated in '70 and I'm sure, though my kids understaned theoretically what happened, they are quite removed from the reality. And yet, it's still far from over. But to see two generations looking to one another like that, connecting.... Awesome.
November 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Doh! [[Understand....]] Sorry, long day.Fingers on strike. :p)
November 19, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I have goosebumps reading this..wow is all I can really say. I think so many times we get so caught up in our daily lives that we don't pay attention to the elderly that are a fountain of information...first hand information...that will soon pass away from this earth never to have the stories told. And they do love to recant their stories is we'll just listen.
What a moment!
November 20, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Oh Barb..that was wonderful!! What a blessing to have been there. Wow..I was deeply touched by my experiences with Ola Mae..I wish I could find her again!! Wonderful post hon! Love, Sarah
November 21, 2009 at 7:08 AM