Chronicles of the American South -Oral History of Wetumpka

Narratives of the way we lived and thrived under Jim and Jane Crown in the American South. The human spirit is amazingly resilient as is the intellect creative. Even under Apartheid, few people had time for hate- or consumerism, for living plainly was a way of life.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Southern
• culture
• Alabama
• African-American
• Roots
• Elmore
• County

[Vearlsriver]

I love black people, because they are mostly good people (best friends I ever had.) Poor ole black people. My ancestors owned slaves...to my shame.

Black people have a rich culture and think God blessed them by being black, because they've got more to them than most white folks. BTW I'm caucasion...I think,lol. I'm related to the Melungeons in TN.& VA. ( a maroon community in Hancock County, Tn.) Mulotto/Indian,lol. My grandmother was a Melungeon. Peace/out.

[diepiriye]

Thanks. I appreciate that. I have also been learning a bit about the Melungeons through users on Youtube like you. Thanks for educating us.

[OBparamour]

Coming from a long farming lineage (over 400 years) this story is so similar to the stories my Father tells of his boyhood on the farm. It's a hard life and not for the faint of heart. My Grandmother would pick up a chicken and swing it around until its head popped off and a few hours later, it'd be on the table. No cotton up north, but the folks had a contract with a cannery for tomatoes. A day picking those and a person couldn't even stand up straight.

[diepiriye]

Wow. Do tell us more about this. Or perhaps interview some of your elders. This is interesting and few seem to know or respect these aspects of our history- the industrial side that promoted so much growth.

[OBparamour]

Most of the old folks are gone, just aunts and uncles left now. I've interviewed a few of my relatives in Germany, but have yet to do so with my aunts or uncles. It's one of my favorite things to sit and listen to them talk about life on the farm. With Thanksgiving coming up, I may do just that.

[diepiriye]

Ditto! Glad I got my camera ready, too! I feel like I learn so much by listening to those aunts and uncles.

[OBparamour]

The fall was always hog-slaughtering time. They cured and hung them in the summer kitchen. The lard was used to make lye soap. They also had some type of crop, usually corn, soybeans, or wheat. Before the combine, the corn was harvested by hand and thrown into a wagon. Cutting firewood was also a fall activity. It supplied all the heat for the house and for cooking. The folks also made barrel staves for income. They made their living from 120 acres of land.

[diepiriye]

That's true. Thanks for reminding me.

[NoireBeaute]

Ignore him babe he's just miserable!!

[diepiriye]

So you have left the same comment of insults on all of my videos. How incredibly mature. Bravo. You're a big man now! Wow, you an post insulting comments on folks Youtube video. Any other amazing accomplishments other than spreading hate? Do your comments relate to this video?