By cj
Life is not promised, and constantly changing, but there is one thing that never changes — the stories of our ancestors and elders. The life stories that are told — and retold — by family members and other loved ones. You can learn a lot from them through these stories; they share their wisdom and pass it along to you, which can make a huge difference in your life.
There are also certain vacations you take every year — those reunions where you discover even more about your family’s history, and by extension, yourself.
That said, the personal stories and anecdotes about our families are also an important part of our communities’ stories, and they bridge gaps between people of different backgrounds. As our elders share stories about our ancestors with us, they become active parts of our present day lives.
For me, whether it is a story told by a relative or an elder I encounter randomly in Mobile, Alabama, I find myself connecting deeply as I sit on a stoop in the grass, listening to and hearing their stories.
My mother, in particular, gave a presentation for Women’s History Month where she currently resides, , recounting her own journey. Her stories about segregation, and her personal experience of growing up in the deep south in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama resonated in the minds and hearts of those who were present: as a result, questions were posed, her ideals were highlighted, and valuable lessons were taught.
There is currently a concerted effort throughout Philadelphia to collect, preserve and celebrate these stories.
For instance, Allens Lane Art Center, located in West Mt. Airy, is traveling around sharing stories — stories that cause us to stop and listen to what that story is about. Just providing an opportunity for others to listen and really hear what the storyteller is saying without interjecting questions or posing opinions.
I know that Creative Philadelphia is also telling and capturing stories, and along with capturing the creative’s opinion of how we want to interpret a story, along with the stories that Scribe Video Center has shared about the North Philadelphia History Festival and those involved.
My good friend, Brian Bazemore, participated in an event at Clark Park in West Philadelphia, where his purpose was collecting the stories of the youth and adults who live in that community.
The stories we have kept to ourselves for so long cannot be kept from the world anymore. It is time to gather all of the necessary tools you’ll need — books, pens, tape recorders —and prepare to listen closely to the stories of others so you can learn who you are through their history, because their history is your history — herstory and history are your stories. The stories of the community around you — even those who do not share the same ethnic background or who have come from different parts of the country and world — are still stories that are a part of your history.
The next time you are at a family reunion, and you are sitting around a group of elders, or simply in a group of family members playing pinochle – pay close attention to the stories that are being told. Take time to listen closely, then consider what you have learned. Stories are never ending. They are ongoing, and are always a part of history –.past, present and future Until next time, take care…PEACE!
cj is an author, poet, educator, spoken word artist, writer, motivational speaker, and inspirational writer who resides in Philadelphia. If you were moved by this piece, shoot cj a “like” or comment at [email protected].