Comments for Interpreting Slave Life

Comment on Contact me! by Yulanda

Yulanda — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:22:03 +0000

Nicole,

It was wonderful meeting you at the CWI conference. You were spot on in your comments about interpreting enslavement and issues involving the relationship between academics, public historians and historical interpreters. Interpreting anything pertaining to African Americans has it’s challenges that most people do not understand, can’t grasp or chose not to grasp. It’s important that a network is built to help handle these challenges. The history will always be there no matter what challenges we face. It’s up to us to preserve it and bring it to the forefront to a wider audience.

Various USCT units have interpreted slavery. It goes with the territory. Pictures of the Camp Nelson event (From Slavery to Soldier) are posted on the USCTLHA Yahoo Discussion forum in the “Photos” folder at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/usctbrigade/. It’s an old fashion method of social media, but there are no ownership issues. You must subscribe to the group.

Best Regards,
Yulanda (aka Yulie)

Comment on Liberty for Lydia by Julie M. Finch

Julie M. Finch — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:59:13 +0000

Thank you so much. I was sure that trained actors would “get into character” and research and find the truth below the script. This was a wonderful and thoughtful blog on the complexities of many owner/enslaved persons relationships,
ps I am a trained actor, and a member of Coming To The Table,
I saw a wonderful interpreter at Mabee Farm in upstate New York, near Syracuse. He was so moving.
Juliie

Comment on Liberty for Lydia by Joseph McGill

Joseph McGill — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:32:06 +0000

Nicole, Thank you again for your inspiring words. As a tour guide at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC, a Civil War reenactor and the founder of the Slave Dwelling Project, I can certainly relate to the fact that interpreting slavery is no easy task. There are those Black and White who would much rather have that subject matter go away. Despite that, we must press on none-the-less. I will see you in Gettysburg, PA in a few days.

Comment on Who am I? by Regina C

Regina C — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:05:56 +0000

sorry about the typos – was typing way too fast at work!!!!
Saw your testimonial on the The Blogging School website and could really identify with where you were. Your site is awesome, keep up the good work. What a great niche, sounds like it’s your passion and I’m glad I now have a resource for this very important topic. regina c

Comment on It’s been a minute by Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:27:14 +0000

I agree completely. It makes our struggles look insignificant and really helps put things in perspective.

Comment on It’s been a minute by Jeanne Pirtle

Jeanne Pirtle — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:14:56 +0000

I have always been drawn to stories of people who retain their dignity and culture while enduring horrible conditions and impossible choices. They are ones to be studied, copied and admired.

Comment on You’re Never Alone by Dontavius Williams

Dontavius Williams — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:44:22 +0000

Beautiful! Thanks for this reassurance! It is good to be a part of such a wonderful extended family.

Comment on You’re Never Alone by Mariann Regan

Mariann Regan — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:00:19 +0000

I’m so glad to know about your blog, Nicole. All my SC ancestors owned slaves, and I wrote a family memoir about how their minds and hearts must have been affected by participating in that (to me) criminal institution in history, and how that passed on to their descendants. I’m glad for current interpreters, because I’ve heard so many people insist even today insisting that slavery was “benign,” so many who still want to play it down.

Recently I’ve come across a really good book, “Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade,” by Sharon Morgan and Tom DeWolf. It’s a tough and honest book.

Thank ou for your blog!

Comment on A Debate Over Titles by Cotton Boll Conspiracy

Cotton Boll Conspiracy — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 03:27:13 +0000

I’d be curious as to what term those that were enslaved used when referring to themselves? I could see a tradesman referring to himself as such, for example.

Perhaps part of the problem with determining the correct “title” today is that we’re trying to pigeonhole those that were enslaved into too narrow of description in terms of how they might have referred to themselves. By that, I mean that definitions may have changed depending on context. For example, an individual who was enslaved could have referred to himself or herself by what they did, be it a blacksmith, shipwright, field hand, handmaiden, etc. Yet, on another level, when pressed, each knew that they were quite simply slaves, unable to fully determine their own fate.

Anyhow, you raise an interesting question, and definitely one I hadn’t thought about.

Comment on A Debate Over Titles by Dontavius

Dontavius — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 03:43:25 +0000

Well said. Peter Novick’s quote will forever ring in my heart as I walk this path of interpretation.