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african american history, american south, blogging, civil rights, dignity, domestics, equality, life, mid-century politics, oral history, protest, protest movements, respect, social movements, southern history, thoughts, writing
Sometimes we can conjure the magic of human dignity with a single phrase:
The Diary of Anne Frank…
Letter from Birmingham Jail…
No one puts Baby in the corner….
Hee.
Here’s another one.
I always used mops at other houses.
It’s part of a story we collected during our recent oral history interviews at the museum. An elderly black woman named Geraldine was recalling her teen years, which she spent cooking and cleaning for white families.
One woman had dogs. She ordered Geraldine to get down on her hands and knees to scrub the floor. Geraldine had never been on her knees to scrub floors before. She’d been working since age ten, but she’d always used a mop.
And so, when I was supposed to go back to her, I didn’t go.
The woman contacted Geraldine’s mother to complain that she’d missed a day of work.
So Geraldine explained about the dogs and the scrubbing. Maybe she didn’t expect any sympathy. Probably she didn’t. Her mother had been cleaning, washing, ironing and cooking for white people for decades.
But Geraldine got a surprise.
She turned her head and smiled to herself… she contacted that lady and told her that she needed to get a mop.
I know it’s a little thing. But it’s a big thing. Geraldine had nothing against scrubbing, or working hard, or dogs. She’s owned them her whole life. When I first listened to her interview and then transcribed it, I was having trouble putting my finger on exactly why that story was so powerful.
Everyone in the room was struck dumb… the scholar asking the questions, me, the two cameramen… just everyone.
Partly it was her mother’s reaction… the clear implication being that she wanted her daughter to rise above, to refuse injustice, to have a better life.
But it was also the fact that Geraldine was saying something very astute about the human condition. Our need for respect is a desire that’s courageous, dignified and universal.
And I’m certain Geraldine knew it was a pivotal moment… which is why she brought it up during the interview.
No one can order me to my knees.
Even as a teenager, she had that strength. I just love that.
We all loved that. Best moment of the interview… hands down.
It will be featured prominently in our women’s history exhibit.
FOREVER!!!
Which… on a related note… while searching for pictures to illustrate these oral histories, I miraculously happened upon a whole collection of incredible photos of African American women and girls working as “domestics” (I dislike that term) during the 1940s.
Isn’t this a remarkable image?
These were taken by the U.S. Farm Security Administration, are in the public domain, and are from the Library of Congress.
You can find them online at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/.
Good story.
What a story!
But I had to read it a couple times before the significance sunk in — because, for the record, I often scrub my kitchen floor on my hands and knees and it didn’t dawn on me at first why this might be a problem for someone!
That’s exactly right. I can assure you that Geraldine has gotten on her hands and knees to scrub plenty of times. (She’s the one with the iron I told you about.) But something about what this woman said… or how she said it… made her uncomfortable. It made her want to refuse. So then I put myself in her shoes and wondered how I would feel if someone told me to get down on my hands and knees… and I totally got it.
Outstanding story, and kudos and thanks for recognizing its value and sharing it with us! It doesn’t matter if we clean bathrooms or rule boardrooms, there are always basic humanity lines that should not be crossed.
(The lack of respect and dignity is exactly why I’m taking early retirement.)
Thanks, Wyrd. Geraldine is a fascinating interview. I’d like to hear more about her life.
And congrats on the early retirement!
That photo is awesome. In the original sense of the word, not the surfing-sense of the word.
Was just now, right before reading this, listening to NPR’s interview with the author of a history of The Klan. They began the interview with an audio recording of some of their “music.” Another historically jarring snapshot.
Love this post.
That sounds chilling.
Moving to the right side of history… have you heard of the Lomax recordings? John and Ruby Lomax traveled around the south in 1939, getting people singing, playing music, whistling, you name it. Lots of the samples are from state prisons or chain gangs. Some are from people’s churches or front porches. There are more than 600 and they are also incredible. You can find them online at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/lohtml/lohome.html
Very interesting story and thanks for sharing… we wonder why there is a divide between some races… yet never think back to years gone by and how they treated each other… great share …
Thanks, bulldog. One of the things that struck me was the very matter of fact telling of this story. It’s just how it was. And when I listened to Geraldine, it made me sad to think how limited her options were. She’s an impressive person. In another time/place she would have gone to college, become a researcher, lawyer, writer… whatever. Then I think of all the people like her… and all the potentially amazing contributions we lost because our society insisted on hobbling minorities to keep them in “their place.” Shocking, really. And not over.
This is a remarkable story. I grew up in the south in the 1940′s, so I know.
I’d love to hear some of your stories. One aspect of Geraldine’s history that’s a little difficult to capture is that this wasn’t always a negative relationship. Some white employers were very kind… helping her obtain bank loans, assisting her family, showing great affection. She’s not someone who paints all white people with the same brush… but it’s very complicated.
I love this story and how this woman stood up for herself – thanks for sharing it.
xo
Diana
Thanks, Diana! She’s got so many amazing stories. I hope to interview Geraldine again in the future.
Beautiful story. You capture these moments so well. The picture is also amazing. Thanks and have a great weekend.
Thank you for sharing this – there is so much in that short anecdote…I want to learn more!
Me, too. I already learned her husband became a quadriplegic in a 1970 car accident while she was pregnant with their fifth child. She was the PTA president at the black high school during integration. She lobbied the town for proper sewer and water in the African American community… where some people were still using outhouses in the 70s! I definitely hope to speak with her again.
Thanks for the comment!
Wonderful story. Words have very different meanings depending on who is hearing them. It’s a good lesson and a remarkable glimpse into the way it was for a lot of people. Awesome photo, too!
Thanks! I have a lot to learn from Geraldine. She’s this very calm, pleasant lady… who helped lead our community through major moments in civil rights.
This held my attention and I fully understand that mother’s sense of wanting history not to repeat itself. We all want our children to go farther and do better. Such impact!
Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you felt the way I did about this story. Geraldine’s an incredible woman. She’s now raising one of her great-grandchildren, a high school sophomore who’s a complete doll. I hope to spend more time with Geraldine. She’s a talented storyteller and has had a very interesting life so far!