F = Fannie Lou Hamer: A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015: History Stories and the Telling of Them

Okay, so I’m a day late (again) in this A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015.  My desire is to share some history facts and the stories I think are intriguing around them, along with some ways I’ve told history stories and techniques of researching and telling historical stories.  So here was yesterday’s (which, since it’s history is good any day J)...

F = Fannie Lou Hamer

from www.howard.edu

Fannie Lou Hamer, a voting rights activist from Mississippi in the 1960’s and a fighter against poverty, is one of the 10 women in history that I portray.  (See the others at my website, www.mssheila.org)  She was a woman who had been a sharecropper all of her life and didn’t even know she had the right to vote until 1963.  Once she found out she had the right, she became a strong voice and leader in the voting rights movement.  She was a highly respected woman and leader in Mississippi in spite of, or maybe because of, severe opposition – forced to move from her home, lost her job and her husband’s, shot at, beaten severely, jailed without even a phone call, released from jail without an apology or compensation, and more.  YET, through all of this she was able to keep herself from hatred of those who opposed her, and was a beacon of light and hope, along with a throaty voice of soul, for all who took their first steps to political and social freedom.

What a story to tell!  I loved learning about her and once I read about her, I knew I wanted to portray.  So I did what I usually do:

a)      I read some children’s/young adult biographies about Fannie Lou Hamer

b)      I copied her timeline from one of the books and proceeded to look online at a larger timeline and see what else was happening in her life.

c)       I wrote down things that impressed me about her life, which would become the basis of what I would share.

d)      I wrote down what I hoped people would learn, feel or be inspired by when I finished the presentation.

How I felt when program flopped for teens
from movie, "Appaloosa",
which I just happened to be watching
while writing this.  

And I was ready!?!   No, I wasn’t.  You see, “c” was so long that I couldn’t wrap my head around how to tell her story without it sounding like a bunch of facts, events and dates.  As a matter of fact the first 3 times I did the Historic Character Presentation – me portraying her – it was a flop.  Okay, the fact was that two of the groups were very receptive [one group only had ½ hour and the other group had more older folks than children], but I knew it wasn’t close to where I wanted it.  My third group were high schoolers and I had the equivalent of “being run out of town”, at least for me:  I couldn’t keep their attention, the interactive parts seemed too forced and the students couldn’t understand distinguish serious moments from humorous.  Although the teachers were more focused on the students’ behavior rather than me; I was frustrated that I couldn’t share Fannie’s voice in such a way that she moved the students like she moved me.  After talking to one of the principals after the program, he said it was good, not my best (he had seen me many times before and I still go to his school annually), but that what he thought was missing was that the students had no point of reference.  Ah, a wise observation!

I had to make some changes and most of them were in myself.  I was so determined to tell her “whole” story, that I wasn’t really looking at her “stories”.  I knew so much history about and around her and her era, that I was forgetting to bring people in on the secret.  Also, in an effort to try to make her relatable, I was making her sound humorous and unrealistic.  I had to make a change…..and I did!

For my Fannie Lou Hamer presentation I have two people join me on stage:  myself and Fannie.  I begin the presentation sharing a bit about how I became interested and learned about Fannie Lou Hamer and giving some background information.  Then I say that she didn’t even know she could vote until she was in her 40’s.  I pause and step to the side and change my demeanor; now I’m Fannie and through her voice, I tell about the day I went to vote and was denied, but still lost my job and my home.  Then I come back, sort of as a narrator, and relate a few other things in her life, in the life of Mississippi folk and the nation, and end by saying, “having the right to vote was essential, but not everyone believed it was essential for all folks.”  I move away and sit in a chair, hunched over, and in the voice of Fannie I share about when I was forcible jailed and then beaten and then I sing one or two of the songs she sung in the jail.  There usually is applause, but then I let another minute pass so folks can reflect on her words. 

I come back to my narrator self and tell about the assignation of Medgar Evers, of Hamer’s release and her move to the world of politics.  I tell about the formation of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and their trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the Democratic National Convention.  Then I move over to the chair, and pull around a wooden table tray that has a purse on it.  I put the tray in front of the chair, pick up the purse, sigh deeply, change into Fannie and sit in the chair.  I set the purse down and put my arms on the arms and hands on the table, with my fingers intertwined and I say the exact words that Fannie Lou Hamer said at the Democratic Convention…adding some of her additional words from that time and ending with, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”  I make a pregnant pause, stand up and return to being the narrator.  I tell briefly of Fannie’s rest of life and then I tell why I believe she is so important.  Then, I ask for questions, and I’ve always left just enough juicy fragments, that people will either ask questions or go search for her; either way I’m pleased.  Oh, and this is 45 minutes before questions. 

I have presented it this way once and it was very successful.  I had a variety of ages at the program and everyone was gripped and loved the back and forth.  No one felt lost and there were plenty of questions afterwards.  I think I’ve found a way to tell her story and present her voice. 

Now here is Fannie Lou Hamer’s actual voice:  Fannie Lou Hamer's speech to Democratic National Convention 1964

Today’s Blog Question – please leave an answer in comments. 

What do you think about the way I am telling her story?  What historical figure would you find it difficult to portray (historic character presentation) or through stories?  How do you tell the difficult life stories?

E = Earlene Reflects: A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015: History Stories and the Telling of Them

Here we go back on track with the A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015.  It’s a challenge alright and teaching me much discipline.  My theme is “History Stories and the telling of them.”  My desire is to share some history facts and the stories I think are intriguing around them, along with some ways I’ve told history stories and techniques of researching and telling historical stories.  I was going to do the topic “Elizabeth Eckford:  The Lesson of Reconciliation”, but I came across a special book yesterday at my parent’s house and had to change the topic.

E = Earlene Reflects

"My mother’s middle name was Miriam.  My father’s middle name was Earl.  Hence, Miriam Earlene.  I never knew why they called me by my middle name.  But they always did.  Nevertheless, when I went to school, I was called Miriam.  I never liked being called that.  (It wasn’t the name itself; I was used to Earlene and rebelled against the attempted change.)  By the time I got to high school, I began trying to be known as 'M. Earlene Costner.'  And this became my official signature.  When I married, needless to say I dropped the 'M' altogether, using Earlene as my 1^st name and my maiden initial – 'C' – an my husband’s last name.  No nickname.  There was an effort made by someone to call me 'Dimples', and my high school principle suggested 'Mima', which went over like a lead balloon." – Earlene C. Arnold

You may have guessed that Earlene C. Arnold is my mother.  While I was at my parent’s house yesterday talking with Dad (see yesterday’s blog), I came across a book I gave my mother on Mother’s Day 1996, Reflections from a Mother’s Heart:  A Family Legacy for your Children printed by Word Publishing, Inc., Dallas, TX.  This book asks questions and offers blank spaces for the “mother” to write down information from their past.  I opened the book not expecting to see anything written (she didn’t really get into this) and saw the above reflection.  I was surprised and delighted; I heard my mother’s voice.  You see, my mother died June 2014 and I miss her calling me “ladybug”, miss laying on her bed early in the morning and pestering her until she just started talking about life, miss her listening ears and her frank and “real” advice.

Finding her words written on the page gave me her voice back, and made me think of this blog about history.  My mother is now “my” history, and I believe she has stories she’d like me to tell.  I bet you have people from your family who would like their stories to be told – maybe you’re their voice.

I’ll end with sharing more of my mother’s voice.  Let’s bask together in her story, shall we?  [The questions are from the book.]

When did you first go to church?  What are you earliest memories of church?

I was all but born in church.  In those days, I think one couldn’t go out in public for 6 weeks or so.  However, I’m certain that as sson as possible I was there.  After all, I was the 1^st born of their pastor.  (My sister had been born a year earlier, but didn’t live long – maybe hours)….

How did your mother spend her day?  Did she have a job or do volunteer work outside the home?

Mother stayed at home until Daddy past [passed] the GPO.  Then she worked as a GS-2 clerk in The Commerce Dept in Washington [DC]

List one special memory about each of your brothers and sisters.

Anna Costner, Wallace Costner Sr., Barbara,
Wallace Costner, Jr.;
Back Row:  Marion [Selby]
Earlene Costner

…My sister was 8 when she came to live with us.  She is 9 ½ years younger than me.  At first I had more of a parental relationship with her, but when I went to U of I [University of Illinois], she began to look to our parents as hers, and I became her sister.  I’d take her lots of places, even my boyfriends would sometimes taker her along.

What were your family finances like when you were growing up?  How did that affect you?

      Others thought we were doing well.  We were buying our house, we had a car, I took piano lessons, we went to school in Washington [DC].  Mother (especially) and Daddy spent money very wisely; we really didn’t have much.  We had what we needed, but little else.  Each school year I had 3 new dresses, and one pair of sensible shoes.  I wore one dress Mon., Tues., Wed., one Thurs., Fri. and the other Mon., Tues., Wed. of the next week.  Then repeated the cycle.  That may be why I have overloaded closets + shoe bags now.  We seldom went to a movie, but that was probably due to our basic life style as well.  Our life revolved around Daddy’s ministry, which left little time for outside activities.  But I don’t recall feeling deprived about that.  What I really wanted was an allowance to spend as I chose.  I never had one.  That did bother me.  [This is all new information for me.  I see a story in the making.]

Where did you go to grade school?  Junior High?  High School?  Tell me about your best childhood friend.

…There were 5 of us in Francis Jr. High – Carole Ferguson, Janice Green, Care Dickerson, Shirley Jackson & I.  All but Janice continued with me to Dunbar High, but only Shirley remained a close friend.  She & I also went to Howard became sorority sisters.  I have made loose contact with the other three….

What fashions were popular when you were in high school?  Did you like them?  Why or why not?

      Poodle skirts.  Saddle oxfords.  Penny loafers.  Crinolines.  Twin sweaters.  Did I like them?  Okay.  I wasn’t much for fashion, and anyway we didn’t have the money to indulge in that.  However, I’ve always had a thing for shoes, and I did have saddle oxfords and various kinds of loafers.

Who in your family served in the military and when?  Do you have a special memory of that person?

     Daddy and his next two younger brothers were in World War I.  His youngest brother served in World War II.  The military was something our family did in time of war, but never as a career.  Fortunately, all of the above came home.  Really, I don’t think any of my family were killed or seriously injured in war.  Of course I have wonderful memories of them, but nothing I can attach to their military service...

Do you have a collection when you were growing up?  What initially sparked your interest in it?

      As a pre-teen, I loved paper dolls.  I guess I dressed vicariously through them.  There weren’t many youngsters on our street.  (As a matter of fact, most of the winter there were none.)  I didn’t like playing with my brother (he was into active things, I was much more sedentary), so I enjoyed things I could do alone…

Glacier Bay Alaska
photo by Dave Breskill

What places would you still like to visit?  Why?

…The Grecian isles – I’ve seen the Mediterranean, and it is gorgeous.  I’ve heard so much about the beauty of the Grecian isles – both in aesthetic beauty and in ambience – I want to see for myself.  [She never made it there.]

   Alaska – I’ve heard it is marvelously beautiful.  I want to see glaciers, the rivers, the nearly pristine land.  [She DID make it there with my Dad.]  

Today’s Blog Question – please leave an answer in comments.  Have you had someone in your family keep a journal or write their reflections?  Who?  Have you told any stories from this information?  Do you keep a journal or write your reflections?  What do you hope your posterity will do with this information?

P.S.  If you want to really know how to make family history into a story, check out Carolyn Stearn’s blog and attend anything she teachers.  She is a great friend and a wonderful storyteller.  Blog information http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/

D = Dad Loves History: A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015: History Stories and the Telling of Them

Quick Performance Update (next two weeks):

    Apr. 6, 7 & 13 - Performances for Worldstrides, Inc. Student Tour Groups in Williamsburg, VA. 

    Sat., Apr. 11 - Lancaster Court Days, @Mary Washington Library and Museum, Lancaster, VA; 10 am – 4 pm (Oney Judge Historic Character Presentation, Ol’ Bess Historic Character Presentation, General Storytelling)

    Wed., Apr. 15 – Dana Middle School, AM, Hawthorne, CA (Betsy Costner Historic Character Presentation)

   Thurs., Apr. 16 – Anza Elementary School, AM & PM & Evening, Hawothrne, CA  (Oney Judge Historic Character Presentation; General Storytelling Program & “Words of Excitement” Evening Program for Parents)

    Sat., Apr. 18 – Stone Soup Storytelling Festival New Voices Showcase, Woodruff, SC; 11:30 am – 1 pm

     Other Apr. performances:   Oregon (Corvallis); Virginia (Herndon, Portsmouth, Williamsburg)

     Upcoming May performances:  California (Fresno); New York (Westchester County); VA (Norfolk, Williamsburg), West Virginia (Shepherdstown)

I’m a day late with day 4 of the A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, but I’m going to assume no one blogs on Sundays because that is the catch-up day (at least it will be mine).  I’ll be back on track tomorrow.

My theme is “History Stories and the telling of them.”  My desire is to share some history facts and the stories I think are intriguing around them, along with some ways I’ve told history stories and techniques of researching and telling historical stories.  Finally, Day 4….

D = Dad Loves History

My Dad loves reading about and learning about history, and he has been my greatest influence in regards to wanting to learn history.  He particularly loves biographies and military history, although, if it’s good, he’s read just about any type of historical non-fiction book.

My Daddy - Wallace C. Arnold

One of my strong memory fragments from when I was in my “tween” years was my Dad having to read History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.  This was a paperback book with over 600 pages and I can even remember the cover of a warrior in a chariot in orange with a black background.  Today I asked my Dad about that book and he nodded his head as I spoke, and then relayed more of the story (as always). 

Dad was the commander of a Armstrong Army Barracks, Büdingen, Germany when he was honored by being asked to leave his post early and be a student at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.  Two months before he was to leave Büdingen, in the middle of packing a house and transitioning the command leadership, he received the book with instructions to have it read before he started at the College.  Dad shared how the book took a lot of time to read; time he did not have.  My mother became involved in this “book reading” because Dad had to write a paper and my mother was the typist and there was much back and forth about the paper.  Dad learned later that this book, which is also a primary source document, was the basis of modern warfare strategies and tactics, and laid the foundation for everything else they would learn.  I’m certain I remember the emotional angst about that book because Dad usually loved books on history. However, in spite of its infamous place in family history, the book still sits on Dad’s bookshelf in his office.

My father is also a great public speaker.  He’s so good in fact, that I love to hear his presentations.  One of the things I admire about his talks is that he does his research.  He doesn’t just present facts, figures and events, he tells the stories and searches until he finds the right story to tell.  His love of history strengthens his resolve to make history interesting and engaging.

I remember the first time my father saw one of my Historic Character Presentations.  I was at a church that he had often attended when he was young and I was there to present Oney Judge, the personal maidservant of Martha Washington.  He was thrilled about the amount of research I had completed and was able to share, about the level of reality in my presentation as an elderly woman, and delighted that I was HIS child (the beaming smile gave him away).

Over the last few Christmases, Dad has informed his family what books he would like to have as gifts.  We, like his faithful soldiers, have succumbed to his directions.  He returns the favor by buying books of his liking for me.  A year ago he purchased me Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly – a wonderful historical read and I was delighted with all the information I learned and the storytelling way it was presented.  Last Christmas my father received Unbroken by Laura Hillinbrand; 41, A Portrait of my Father by of George W.Bush, and a couple of fictional books by his favorite authors.  As I went searching as directing for his requested book, I ran across another one that I thought would be perfect.  I wrapped it carefully.  As Dad opens each book, he looks at the giver and says, “That was well done.”  When he opened the second book I gave him, The Black Panthers: A Story by Race, War and Courage by Gina  M Dinicolo, his eyebrows raised and with surprise said, “Well, I have never heard of them.  This is new to me.  Can’t wait to read it!”

History Lover

I love that my Daddy still gets excited about learning “new” history….and maybe, one day, he will BE “new” history when he writes his own autobiography.

If you are a history lover, was there someone that helped foster that love and how did they do that?  If you are not adverse to history, but not a great lover of it, then check out one of Bill O’Reilly’s Killing history series – the writing is great and suddenly history has life.  If you don’t like history, what made you dislike it?  After answering, jump over to my website [www.mssheila.org] and hire me to come and do one of my Historic Character Presentations for a home concert, or at your organization, library or school.  [Yes, that was a shameless pitch!]

What am I reading?  Yesterday I read, “At the Zoo” by David M. Schwartz (children’s book).  Most recent thing I learned from this little book:  “Camels with one hump are from Africa.  Camels with two humps are from Asia.” [didn’t know that]  Currently reading “Passionate God” by Bishop Kenneth C Ulmer, Ph. D (my evening reading) & “Revolution in World Missions” by K. P. Yohannan.

C = Civil Rights: A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015: History Stories and the Telling of Them

Quick Performance Update (next two weeks):

    Apr. 3, 4, 6, 7 & 13 - Performances for Worldstrides, Inc. Student Tour Groups in Williamsburg, VA. 

    Sat., Apr. 11 - Lancaster Court Days, @Mary Washington Library and Museum, Lancaster, VA; 10 am – 4 pm (Oney Judge Historic Character Presentation, Ol’ Bess Historic Character Presentation, General Storytelling)

     Other Apr. performances:  California (Hawthorne); South Carolina (Woodruff), Virginia (Herndon, Oregon, Portsmouth, Williamsburg)

     Upcoming May performances:  California (Fresno); New York (Westchester County); VA (Norfolk, Williamsburg), West Virginia (Shepherdstown)

The second day came in late, but it came.  And this day will be so close to midnight we could spit at it.  Day 3 of the A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015.  My theme is “History Stories and the telling of them.”  My desire is to share some history facts and the stories I think are intriguing around them, along with some ways I’ve told history stories and techniques of researching and telling historical stories.  Day 3 (and I can’t wait to share!)….

C = Civil Rights

from engage.franklin.edu

I always thought I should have been an adult during the Civil Rights Movement from the late 1950’s to early 1970’s because I think I would have been on the front lines.  Didn’t happen that way, but I have had a longtime fascination with this time period.  I created my newest program, “We Own the Night”:  Storytelling and Poetry for Teens about the Movements of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, around this very fasciation.

After I presented this program at a Middle School, the Principal came up to me afterwards and shared, “You know we don’t talk too much about this time period.  We are required by standards to do colonial times, Civil War time period and definitely World War II, the Greatest Generation and all.  But we seem to gloss over the Civil Rights Movement.”  Then he paused, took a breath, and in almost a whisper said, “I wonder if that’s on purpose.” 

WHOA!  What a thought!  Could our illustrious educational leaders (and politicians) also have an agenda with the standards of our students?  Well, of course, they can, they have and probably always will.  But why not teach this time period?  Maybe because then we can act like what people are standing up for now, protesting now, boycotting now, is something that’s never happened and will never make change.

So I couldn’t get this thought out of my head, but I just ruminated on it.  Then my friend and fellow storyteller/actor, Sarah Brady (performanceandpen.wordpress.com), went to Larchmont Elementary to present our Young Audiences of Virginia, Inc. program, “Tubman-Craft:  Two Women of Freedom.”  While waiting to present, our wonderful contact person and the school’s music teacher, Carrie Green, taught a class of 2^nd graders a Civil Rights Song.  I remarked after her class left, that I was impressed that she taught children about this time period.  Carrie said, “I love that time period, but there are no programs from Young Audiences around that era.”  Sarah and I looked at each other, smiled, and quickly said we would create the program.

Then the synergy began.  Everything we ran across pointed us to creating this program.  I picked up a DVD from the Library, PBS’ special, “Freedom Summer:  1964.”  I learned more about Fannie Lou Hamer, one of the women I portray; about how the Jackson, MS, police militarized itself in fear of the Freedom Riders (reminiscent or precursor of Ferguson, MO); and heard the story of Miss Mississippi who, along with her family was kicked out of Mississippi for trying to help the white Freedom Riders understand the Mississippi point of view.  (Hear her story, Jan Nave Barnes, http://www.tellingstories.org/mccomb/) 

We started looking at white and black women that both believed and disbelieved in the Civil Rights Movement.  We both agreed the story of Viola Liuzzo, had to be told, and then found out that just last week she was awarded the first ever-awarded posthumous honorary degree from Wayne State University.  Sarah was going to find the book Elizabeth and Hazel:  Two Women of Little Rock by David Margolick, and came across a book to help us understand our local civil rights movement and people, Elusive Equality:  Desegration and Resegregation in Norfolk’s Public Schools by Jeffrey L. Littlejohn & Charles H. Ford.  Then I picked up a pleasure reading fiction book, Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League by Jonathan Odell, which ended up being about the early Mississippi civil rights movement by “the help”.  Besides being an EXCELLENT read (oh, storytellers and lovers of a well-told story, this is a tremendous story that leaves you just desiring more, and yet totally satisfied); the research shared in the back of the book really opened my eyes, and made me even more excited that we are looking at the Movement through women’s eyes.

All this and life was also happening.  More black children killed by law enforcement, law enforcement killed by assassins in the “name of gaining equality”, and Oklahoma University Sigma Alpha Epsilon chant videotaped.  Everywhere I went, my friends were asking me, “Are race relations getting worse or has it always been like this?”  I kept answering, “Actually, things haven’t changed much, just become more open.  And I think it’s a great time for us if we decide to stop yelling at each other and actually start a conversation.”

Then to seal the deal for Sarah and me, our Pastor [we attend First Baptist Norfolk, 312 Kempsville Rd., Norfolk, VA – join us one Sunday] had a sermon about “What God Requires of Us.”  The answer is found in Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.”  We felt God-ordained to make sure the conversation was happening.  We have decided to entitle our program, “Civil Rights:  Finding a Voice”, and the summary is, “Many of us take our freedoms for granted, forgetting that for far too long many people were denied their basic rights. This oppression continued until one person, and then another, decided that they could no longer let their voices be silent; together they formed the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. We all have a voice. But if you are silent though your cause is just, how can you make a difference? The voices that rose from the Civil Rights Movement help us answer this question. As students learn through this interactive program about those who paved the way to equality for so many people, they will be challenged to raise their voices to continue to make America the land of the free.”  However, we are doing the program in such a way, that it can be made age-appropriate by the various life and event stories we tell, AND, we want this to be a program not just in educational settings, but in churches and at conferences.  We want the voices to be raised for today’s issues, and we want people to know that they will join the voices of so many in the past, and just like them, A DIFFERENCE CAN BE MADE!!

What are your thoughts:  have race relations changed?  Worse, better, the same?  Why or why not?  Do you think stories can change the way we have a conversation?

P.S.  Check out Sue O’Halloran’s RaceBridges and the video stories (including 3 of mine) - http://www.racebridgesforschools.com/videos/.  Sue definitely works to make our diversity our strength, check her out, www.susanohalloran.com.  Listen to one of my stories about race and my family which is on RaceBridges, and which I most recently did (with great acclamation) at Scott Whitehair’s “This Much is True” monthly storytelling event (http://www.thismuchistruechicago.com/) on Mar. 10, 2015 - A Son's Survival

What am I reading?  Currently reading “Passionate God” by Bishop ? Ulmer (my evening reading) & “Revolution in World Missions” by K. P. Yohannan.  

B = Bloods: A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015: History Stories and the Telling of Them

Quick Performance Update (next two weeks):

    Apr. 3, 4, 6, 7 & 13 - Performances for Worldstrides, Inc. Student Tour Groups in Williamsburg, VA. 

    Sat., Apr. 11 - Lancaster Court Days, @Mary Washington Library and Museum, Lancaster, VA; 10 am – 4 pm (Oney Judge Historic Character Presentation, Ol’ Bess Historic Character Presentation, General Storytelling)

     Other Apr. performances:  California (Hawthorne); South Carolina (Woodruff), Virginia (Herndon, Oregon, Portsmouth, Williamsburg)

     Upcoming May performances:  California (Fresno); New York (Westchester County); VA (Norfolk, Williamsburg), West Virginia (Shepherdstown)

This is my second day writing as a part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015.  My theme is “History Stories and the telling of them.”  My desire is to share some history facts and the stories I think are intriguing around them, along with some ways I’ve told history stories and techniques of researching and telling historical stories.  Day 2….

B = Bloods

from www.goodreads.com

I am a voracious reader and always have been.  One of the gifts I gave myself was to keep a copy of my favorite books from my teen days; not that I have read each of them more than twice, but I like having them on hand. Some of my favorite books as a teen that I have collected are For Colored Girls by Ntozake Shange, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow, Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell, The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter, The Elephant Man by Christine Sparks, Just Above my Head by James Baldwin, The Second Son by Charles Sailor, and Bloods by Wallace Terry.

Bloods:  Black Veterans of the Vietnam War – An Oral History was one of my favorite books because of its discussion of the Vietnam War.  My father fought in that war, but in my teen years he never talked about it although he was a career military man.  As a matter of fact, on my strongest teenaged memories is of when I was watching a made-for-television movie about the anti-Vietnam riots at Kent State.  It just happened to be on t.v., and I was excited to watch, but when my Dad walked into our family t.v. room and saw what I was watching, he slammed the television off, told me that was “crap I was watching” and sent me to an early bedtime.  I had never seen this type of visceral reaction from my father and it made me want to learn more about Vietnam.  Bloods is a book of narratives of black men who fought in Vietnam, and I allowed myself to hear my father through the words, and was appalled about what he must have faced, and yet, comforted.

from www.pinterest.com

It wasn’t until the movie “Platoon”, starring the “good” Charlie Sheen - J, that my father was finally able to talk about Vietnam to our family.  We used to do family movies about once a year, and that year, while my family was visiting me in college at UNC-Charlotte, we went to see the newly released and highly publicized movie.  (Oh, “we” was my father, my mother, my youngest sister and myself.)  Well, the movie was filled with many curse words, and after a fairly lengthy string of colorful words were spoken, my mother gasped and said, “They certainly curse a lot.”  My father turned to her and said, loud enough (and passionate enough) for the entire family to hear, “Well, it’s war, Earlene!  Of course, there was cursing!”  We were three stunned women!  However, when we had dinner afterwards, Dad opened up and shared about his experiences in the war.  I was appalled about what my father faced as a part of Psychological Operations Warfare division, and yet, comforted knowing that my father had found a way to keep his humanity, and share his humanity, even with some Vietnamese.

In my newest program, “We Own the Night”:  Storytelling and Poetry for Teens about the Movements of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, I have a section about the anti-Vietnam War movement.  I sing the song, “War” made famous by Edwin Starr, "War" video song.  Although the teachers love to hear the song, the students usually haven’t heard it, consequently, I teach them the refrain and have them join me:  “War, unhhh, what is it good for?  Absolutely nothing.”  It’s fun to watch.  Then I sit down on the chair I tell one of the narratives from Bloods in a man’s voice.  In deepest silence the attendees listen to the words, and, at the end of the program, many express their understanding of what it meant to fight a war abroad and a civil rights fight in their own country.  Then some teachers quietly say, “I think they just realized that this opposition against war is not a new thing…..and I thank you for helping them see the humanity of soldiers.”

Thanks, Wallace Terry, for helping me see the humanity of soldiers…and now all these years later to share these stories with a new generation.  [Take a listen to PBS special below.]

Bloods in 'Nam, PBS special

Have you had a family member that fought in war and shared their memories?  How did those memories affect you?  Have you met people affected by the war and unable to share?  Do you think “stories” will help them?  Oh, and what are some of your favorite books from your teenage years?  Do you still have them?  Why did you keep them?

What am I reading?  Currently reading “Revolution in World Missions” by K. P. Yohannan.  Most recent line I just HAD to underline (and actually sharing it this time) - "One piece of advice did stick, however.  Every Christian leader should have this engraved in his subconscious:  No matter what you do, never take yourself too seriously.”

A = Althea Gibson…I Think: A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015: History Stories and the Telling of Them

Quick Performance Update (next two weeks):

    Apr. 3, 4, 6, 7 & 13 - Performances for Worldstrides, Inc. Student Tour Groups in Williamsburg, VA. 

    Sat., Apr. 11 - Lancaster Court Days, @Mary Washington Library and Museum, Lancaster, VA; 10 am – 4 pm (Oney Judge Historic Character Presentation, Ol’ Bess Historic Character Presentation, General Storytelling)

     Other Apr. performances:  California (Hawthorne); South Carolina (Woodruff), Virginia (Herndon, Oregon, Portsmouth, Williamsburg)

     Upcoming May performances:  California (Fresno); New York (Westchester County); VA (Norfolk, Williamsburg), West Virginia (Shepherdstown)

This year I am attempting to participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015.  My theme is “History Stories and the telling of them.”  My desire is to share some history facts and the stories I think are intriguing around them, along with some ways I have told history stories and techniques of researching and telling historical stories.  (That was a mouthful!)  So let’s begin….

A = Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson from www.biography.com

One of my friends, school librarian”, Janet Bass at Oklahoma Christian Schools, always gives me a book when I come and perform at her school.  She gives very unique and great choices and knows my likes.  This year she gave me the book, 28 Days:  Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith, Jr. and illustrated by Shane W. Evans.  I was curious about the book because of its title and the introduction’s purpose to give unique African-American history dates to correlate with the amount of days in Black History Month.  It was a quick read and I want to encourage teachers and others to use it in the classroom, and I have a desire to work with author to create a Teacher’s Lesson plan for the book, however, the story of Wilma Rudolph grabbed me.

Wilma Rudolph from www.academies-englewood.org

I have previously read about Wilma Rudolph, the famed African-American Olympic track star, but I didn’t remember her life story:  “nineteen siblings”, “battled pneumonia, measles and scarlet fever and polio”, “the child would never again walk”, leg messages given by her family, then basketball, track and the Olympic gold.  Ah! What a story!  The overcoming, the persistence, the family rallying around….. oops, this is supposed to be about Althea Gibson.  Uh….hmmm….ever have that moment when you forget a name or you change one name for another?  Well, I did just as I was beginning to think about this challenge, but I decided to use “Althea’s name anyway”

Moving forward….As I read this story, and the others I saw lots of historical stories just waiting to be told.  Althea Gibson [see she’s in there] – started tennis at 14 and was a prodigy, became first African American to win the French Open; Robert Smalls – commandeers a Confederate sheep and captains it to freedom and later to the US Congress; Mae Jemison – skips 7^th grade because reading at a college level, enters high school at age 12 and lives up to her 5-year-old declaration to her teacher “I mean to be a scientist” (and an astronaut).  I can’t wait to research more on some of these and add the stories to my repertoire.  I want to be clear, though, I’m not just adding these stories because I’m African-American, but because they are stories that inspire, motivate and instruct.  I encourage many storytellers of various cultures and heritage to tell these stories. 

What historical person’s story inspires you and that you tell or would like to tell?  Do you tell stories from cultures other than your own?  Oh, and ever have that moment when you mix up a name?  (welcome to my world!)

P.S.  Another good book about historical persons is 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg & Lorraine Roscoe.  Enjoy!

What am I reading?  Yesterday finished “Curing the Cross-Eyed Mule:  Appalachhian Mountain Humor” by Loyal Jones & Billy Edd Wheeler, printed by August House, Inc. (@AugustHouseInc).  Currently reading “Revolution in World Missions” by K. P. Yohannan.  Most recent line I just HAD to underline - "

With/Without

Quick Performance Update: 

     Wed., 12/31/14 - First Night Williamsburg (VA) at 8:15 pm (Ol' Bess Speaks at a Gathering:  18th-Century Storytelling Program) and 10:15 pm (General Family Storytelling), performing at Temple Beth El, need tix;  

Lamont and I

       Tues., Jan. 6, 2015, 12:30 pm, Churchland Academy Elementary, Portsmouth for Young Audiences of Virginia, Inc. presenting "Ole Skool Classics Storytelling Program" , a part of Portsmouth Heart and Soul Project

Jan. performances:  IL (Peoria); Virginia (Charlottesville, Norfolk, Portsmouth)

     

I started this year with my Mom, but without my fiancé. 

I end this year with a husband, but without my Mom.

                        Is One Better than the Other? 

                        I wonder!

I started this year with hundreds of emails, but without calm in my Spirit.

I end this year with under 20 emails, but with a peace that only Christ could provide

                       One is Definitely Better than the Other!

                        I delight!

I started this year with a blog called “New Beginnings”, and believed lots of blogs to come.

I end this year with 1 blog being completed and a blog called “With/Without”

                        One doesn't always lead to another.

                        I procrastinate!

I started this year with a goal or two, but could only wait.

I end this year with a goal or two met, but more goals to go.

                        One should always grow.

                        I hope!

Kriss and I

I started this year with my son close by, but me traveling a lot.

     I end this year with my son leaving for ATL, 

         and me sitting for a month at home.

                        Will I miss that ONE?

                        I won’t!

Wait a minute, Sheila, what was that last answer?

 

It’s true, I won’t miss my son….too much.  I won’t miss him the way I missed him when I dropped him off at DePaul University, Chicago, IL and cried for an hour straight and then slept for 3 straight hours on the train back home.  

I’m glad he’s going to a place he has wanted to be.  I’m glad he has matured so much since he has been home.  I’m glad he’s going to what he worked for and still has goals to do much more.  I’m glad I had so much time with my friend, my son, my fan, and now want him to GO FORWARD. 

Stephanie (my younger sister), Mom and I

I started this year holding tightly to my family

I end this year with my hands open….

        My Mom to see again in heaven

        My Son to see on holidays

        My Father redefining traditions

        My Sister coming home a little more often

        My Adopted Daughter with the job she loves

        My Husband and I still growing as “one flesh”

And Me?  Well, I believe every start has an end, and many ends can lead to  new Starts….and maybe more than one blog in 2015.  :) 

What is Ms. Sheila reading? "Parables of a Country Parson":  Heartwarming Stories of Christian Faith and Love" by William E. Barton.  I am hoping to tell a ton of new stories from this book and it is an absolute delight.

Most interesting thing researched this week? Smithsonian Magazine article about research regarding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Civil War Soldiers.  Fascinating to see the research into the past correlating so much with soldiers today.  My father, a veteran of war himself, said there probably was PTSD in every war, we just didn't have that name and the understanding that war can have residual effects.