VIRTUAL BOOKS
The Elders Speak: The West Feliciana Parish African American Oral History Project
By Teresa Parker Farris
IN THIS ESSAY
Page 2 The Interviewees:
Travis Carter |
Rev. Zack Cavalier |
William J. Gilmore, Sr. |
Ellen Douglas Hardy |
Alice Lee Johnson |
Elizabeth Lee |
Geraldine London |
Sallie Duncan Whitfield Mackie |
Rev. George Norflin |
Rosia Pate |
Violet Whitfield Pate |
Turlie Harris Richardson |
Sallie Roach Smith |
Robert Sterling, Sr. |
Louise Cathern Williams
Page 6 Schooling & Education:
John S. Dawson High School |
Laurel Hill School |
Polk-Rosenwald School
Recreation
Between farm and school work, the interviewees had little recreational time as youth. Occasionally, some enjoyed hopscotch or played baseball using bats carved from tree limbs and balls made of rags or moss-stuffed socks. If a friend or family member owned a graphaphone or an instrument, others listened to music—but only at night after leaving the fields. Another popular activity-but only amongst the female interviewees—was quilting. Utilitarian in nature, it also offered them a rare opportunity to gather and socialize away from men.
Audio PlayerLouise Williams discusses creating patchwork quilts with friends and neighbors.
Audio PlayerSallie Smith remembers two-stepping outdoors in the moonlight.
Audio PlayerElizabeth Lee explains how community members quilted collectively.
Audio PlayerElizabeth Lee explains how people gathered at her uncle's house to listen to his radio; and going to the movies.
Audio PlayerEllen Hardy recalls jumping rope and playing hopscotch and, as a young adult, listening to the Victrola and dancing outside.
