In the midst of the Great Depression; the Federal Writer's Project assigned field workers to interview ex-slaves. More than 2;000 former slaves contributed their personal accounts and opinions; and their oral histories were deposited in the Library of Congress.The former slaves describe the clothes they wore; the food they ate; the houses they lived in; the type of work they did; and the treatment they received. They tell their impressions of Yankee soldiers; the Klan; their masters; and their new-found freedom.Because the interviews were conducted during the Great Depression; some of the narratives provide insights that are at times surprising. These interviews have preserved a valuable source of information about the institution of slavery in the United States and the effect it had on the people involved."One day Grandpappy sassed Miss Polly White; and she told him that if he didn't behave hisself that she would put him in her pocket. Grandpappy was a big man; and I ask him how Miss Polly could do that. He said she meant that she would sell him; then put the money in her pocket. He never did sass Miss Polly no more."--Sarah DebroThese eloquent words come from former slaves themselves--an important but long-neglected source of information about the institution of slavery in the United States. Who could better describe what slavery was like than the people who experienced it? And describe it they did; in thousands of remarkable interviews sponsored by the Federal Writers Project during the 1930'sOver 2;000 slave narratives that are now housed in the Library of Congress. More than 170 interviews were conducted in North Carolina. Belinda Hurmence pored over each of the North Carolina narratives; compiling and editing 21 of the first-person accounts for this collection.These narratives; though artless in many ways; speak compellingly of the joys and sorrows; the hopes and dreams; of the countless people who endured human bondage in the land of the free.
#899934 in Books Destiny Books 1989-12-01 1989-12-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .70 x 6.00l; .68 #File Name: 0892812567213 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Knowledge and EnjoymentBy Dallas O. BradleyThis was a gift to a daughter who has been drumming for several years and has appreciated learning the background of the musicshe enjoys. She has learned a great deal through it and has shared it with other drummers in her group.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Much wisdom and some sillinessBy An MhuruchOther reviewers have mentioned much of what is laudable about this book. This is mostly a story of a childhood and youth in a highly traditional village in southern Mali; with some information on Yaya Diallo's life in Bamako; the capital; and in Canada. Not much specific information on drumming itself; as this is an autobiography and not a work of ethnomusicology.Particularly intriguing is Diallo's struggle; and his manifold transformations: seen as a fool and a good-for-nothing in his home village when he was a child; he becomes a star student (not without setbacks). Consequently; he settles into a materially satisfying; but spiritually impoverished existence as a chemist in Canada. Finally; in spite of the stridently modernist spirit of the times; which dictated that most elements of African culture be shed and that one's self become completely "Westernized"; Diallo returns to drums; the most important and vital aspect of his culture and his individual self. Mocked and destitute for a while; he succeeds in establishing himself as a musician and as an instructor of drumming.There are several problematic points; but I will concentrate upon one. Having grown up in Christian and atheist household within a multiethnic society; in which people of Muslim origin constituted slightly less than half of the population; I am very sensitive to crude generalizations about religions and ethnicities.Diallo is able to perceive that within "animist" African cultures and within Canada and the so-called "West"; there is wide range of sensitivities and individual ways to live.Yet; sadly; his view of Islam; which has existed for a thousand years in west Africa; is surprisingly childish and crude. He has no idea (or at least he feigns ignorance) of Sufi brotherhoods and their music and countless ways in which it is possible to be a Muslim and to be an African musician (remember Ali Farka Toure; Oumou Sangare; Youssou N'Dour?). Instead; Diallo claims that Salafi Saudi Islam (incidentally; propagated through generous American financial support in order to combat "communism" since the 1970s) is the only Islam that there is; and that accordingly Islam is bad; bad; bad. This may sound like music to some of his half-educated readers; but it is nonsense; not fit for an elder who has seen the world beyond his village.Had I known of this jarring matter; I would most likely have decided to peruse the book at my alma mater instead of buying it enthusiastically.To end on a kind note: The CD; which has to be bought separately (not expensive); is very pleasant indeed; although the pieces are very short and amount to samples. They are not discussed in the book explicitly; but I was listening to them while reading the book; creating a nice ambiance until the fatal page 190 and its successor.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy tasEveryone should read this!
