A shout out to bravenak...with thanks.

[ScreamingMeemie]

Last edited Sun Mar 20, 2016, 05:23 PM - Edit history (1)

I would post this elsewhere, but I don't want to see it muddied up.

A few weeks back you posted the link to the (Free) Amazon Kindle edition of Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves.

http://www.amazon.com/Slave-Narratives-History-Slavery-Interviews-ebook/dp/B004TIJQX6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393606683&sr=1-1&keywords=Slave+Narratives%3A+A+Folk+History+of+Slavery+in+the+United+States+From+Interviews+with+Former+Slaves

I downloaded it that week and began to read. It was both difficult to read and enlightening, and I think it should be required reading at least at the high school level in US History classes. A couple of the recollections really stood out...and were really painful to read, especially that of Sam McAllum (Bloody Kemper) and his recollections of KKK raids. I found myself, at times, getting very angry at what I perceived (reading between the lines) were strong "edits" by the collectors or, in the very least, a form of push-polling by those conducting the interviews.

I hope that I am not the only one who saw and downloaded that link. It would go a long way in changing minds with regard to fried chicken and watermelon being used to "honor" Black History Month.

You make a difference here, bravenak. Thanks again.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. A rec for bravenak!

[M0rpheus]

2. Brava!

[gollygee]

3. I've read that too when I saw the recommendation

I am also reading another book I saw recommended from someone or another at DU called The Empire of Necessity, which is an amazingly good and fascinating book in a thousand different ways.

[bravenak]

4. Thank you for reading them.

First hand accounts of slaves are very hard to read, I was hoping we could all get something out of it.

[raven mad]

5. Not just hard to read. Heartbreaking, as well.

Thank you, fellow Alaskan. An eye-opener and a tear-bringer.

[bravenak]

6. Hey, you have raven in your name too!!! It must be an Alaskan thing!

You're welcome Alaskan. I read all of the free ones and they will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I can't unread those stories. So sad.

[raven mad]

7. Thank you for the welcome, bravenak -

Longtime lurker, newbie poster here. Interior Alaskan by the grace of the Goddess or whatever!

[bravenak]

8. Are you up near Fairbanks??

Brr.
I'm glad you're here, we need more Alaskans up in here! Especially with the big vote coming up this summer.

[raven mad]

9. Yes, and a voter since 1972 -

So count on me! Actually been a nice winter here - I remember the 60's and 70's!! Hoping for a long motorcycle season this year to make up for last year's three-weeks-late crap. We bike/camp.

Fairbanks used to be solidly blue - till the pipeline. Sigh.

[bravenak]

10. The oil brings the crazies.

This has been a really warm winter, I'm kinda weirded out by it. But I think you'll get an extra long summer too. My parents have a Harley that they fake ride around for a half an hour at a time during the summer. I should tell them to do like you and make a trip out of it.

[raven mad]

11. It's a blast - we do it every June. Wet, dry, no matter.

Usually go to Kenai to see the kids, then up to wherever the road leads. It usually leads to Wasilla (big brother, mine) then Trapper Creek (friends) then home.

It all depends on reliable kitty-sitters, though! Even so, I can usually get long weekends out of it. We've been doing this since 1970, though - don't leave home without some knowledge!

[Coolest Ranger]

12. Rec for my girl

I love you big B.

[tblue37]

14. Maybe add to your post a mention that the ebook is *free*. Some people will hear about it

first from this OP, having not seen bravenak's OP yet.

[ismnotwasm]

15. K&R

I couldn't be prouder of her if she was my own daughter.

[Hekate]

16. And thank YOU for bringing it up again. I just downloaded Part 2 for myself...

Located what I thought was Part 1, but wasn't. Now I know to keep looking for it.

[one_voice]

17. I think this may be it...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082V2J80?keywords=Slave%20Narratives%3A%20A%20Folk%20History%20of%20Slavery%20in%20the%20United%20States%20From%20Interviews%20with%20Former%20Slaves%20Georgia%20Narratives%2C%20Part%201&qid=1458514636&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

[Hekate]

18. Thank you! Downloaded (or whatever it is with the cloud)....

Will read later. I like first person narratives, even when it makes rough reading.