"In the Words of Mr. Franklin, Part 1", OUAT's Oral History Series

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Celebrate Responsibly, Happy Independence Day!

OUAT Blog for July 4th

Eat, drink and make merry this 4th of July!  Many of us can think back to our childhood to fireworks, cookout's, beaches, lakes and many other memories we celebrated with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents on Independence Day.  Right? One of the hallmarks of the summer season is this "Lipton Ice Tea Plunge" time of year when we literally went outside to have FUN!  However, as some of us have gotten older and started to look into the meaning behind the holiday, it suddenly got a little complicated, depending on your point of view.

As an African American and a member of the First Nation of the Tuscarora Indians I can fully appreciate that on July 4th, 1776 a sizeable portion of my ancestors who happened to be here and had any part in the revolutionary war did so under very "interesting" circumstances. Notwithstanding that in short order, the legalization of slave labor marking the mass importation of African men, women and children against their will to the newly liberated former colonies, would set in motion a social direction that our country, to this day, has struggled to come to terms with.  Not to mention the geocide and near extermination of native tribes throughout the former colonies, which is still a blithe on the consciousness of this country.

Today's blog, however, is not about uncovering uncomfortable and unpleasant truths behind this national holiday, it is  about understanding, yet again, the importance of coming to terms with what is the actual origin story of our nation and how we individually play a part in that story today. Likewise, it is also about the attitude we have in celebrating this holiday with our friends, families and loved ones and the story we frame for future generations to come.

As I stated in my opening, I recall many a firework display and an endless stream of those glittery sparkling sticks.  The notion that the idea of an independent and free country would be able to celebrate its freedoms collectively is a good notion, a good thing. Whether we can actually pull it off in this current climate of constant terror threats and pending, looming fear is another challenge altogether, depending on your politics and attitude.

For my part, I would hope that the memories I have of the free, friendly, family and community celebrations of my youth will be passed on to my daughter for her to share with her children in the years to come.  I hope that the readers of this blog would want to pass along the same, if not similar experiences for their children, their neighbors children and extended families, to expand the narrative that TODAY we are a nation of diverse people who have one key thing in common, a celebration of freedom and hope for a brighter, brilliant future.

If you can, spend time with a young person today, planting a positive memory that he or she will want to share when they get to be your age. Remember that we were all children once, running, playing and having fun. Keep in mind also that today’s children will one day be tomorrow’s adults and they will take our place sharing their stories about us, to their children and to the generations to come.

Father's Day 2016

OUAT Blog for June 20th

Some national holidays are more impactful than others to me, in my humble opinion. This past weekend our nation celebrated Father's Day and I have to say, it was particularly special to me.  As many of you who are regular readers of this blog know, this space is reserved for both the reflection of the importance and impact our life experiences teaches us, as well as highlights the moments, personal moments, of why Oral History Preservation matters.

And so, for this Father's Day, my weekend began with a return visit to Henrico Doctor's Hospital where I sat at the beside of my own father. The last time I was sitting in that same seat was just in the month of April when my dad had his, I believe 6th heart attack.  The poignant thing about the timing of this recent episode was that the following morning I was scheduled to fly out to California to have my own father's day time with my daughter and namesake. The very idea that I would be sitting alone with him, in a hospital room, reflecting on his life, and my own seemed wrong somehow.

While taking my mind off of my own "stuff", I was reminded once again of how precious life is. I thought of my many friends who have lost their fathers within the past year.  I was reminded of my grandfather who is no longer here and recalling the few precious memories I was able to retain when he was.  I realized that I have been sitting in this same hospital 3 times in the past 4 years and each time there was no guarantee he would walk out of there on his own, if at all.

As my father and I spoke to each other about what we would do once he was released, I thought introspectively to myself about just what would I do when I arrive in California to begin spending time with Little Ryan? What can I do to ensure that her earliest memories will be lastin,g ones she will be proud to share as she grows up and perhaps will one day recount at my bedside?

Moments like the ones I have shared recently with my father have been powerful reminders of the importance of making the most of each moment, even the moments we take for granted. I am looking forward to going fishing this weekend with my dad. I made it a point to tell him that I will need him to teach me everything he knows about that canoe and which bait to use and how to work the motor. I will need to pass on those memories and recreate that experience with my daughter, so I can share with her what my father taught me so that she can then share her experience with her own children one day.

Yesterday I looked at my daughter, age 4, and asked her, "Do you know why I get to celebrate Father's Day?", and her answer was, "Because of me."  She was never more insightful and spot on than that. Because of her presence in my life, I too can share in the awesome experience of being a dad; loving, teaching, caring, sharing, supporting and being ever mindful that life is fragile and fleeting, and why every second is not to be wasted but treasured.

Virgil Johannes and his first born, Ryan Heathcock

Unaware

OUAT Blog for June 6

Two months ago I started work on the video documentation of the Oral Histories for The Friends of Rankin Chapel (The Friends), a service group in support of the Andrew Rankin Chapel located on the campus of Howard University.  Last week I had the pleasure of working with this amazing group of professional men and women who were as dynamic as they were, collectively, extraordinary.

The one thing about history, particularly the history of others, is hearing how their life experiences shaped them.  When I first meet members of The Friends I was inclined to make initial assumptions about each one based on what they are wearing, how they spoke and particularly what their titles were.  I have to say that I have had the pleasure of working with a very large number of Ph.D.'s and , I have to say, you can't help but feel smarter while doing so.

And so when the recording begins, the story unfolds and then my world becomes a great deal more enriched. Last week, while recording I learned so much more about my alma mater that I was practically embarrassed to call myself an Alumni. I even met a young man, Mr. Glen Vinson, Jr., who was a fellow member of the football team, a team that I captained during my time, who is currently a member of The Friends and was a Chapel Assistant when he was a student in the late 1990's.

But perhaps the greatest impact occurred late on the first day of filming. Looking back I have to say that we were on a blistering pace of recording, a total of 10 interviews in one day. At the end of the day I had the pleasure of recording the Oral History of Dr. Donna Grant-Mills, Chair for the Department of Dental Hygiene at the Howard University School of Dentistry. When the day was done Dr. Mills came up to me and personally thanked me for the work I (we) had accomplished and expressed sincere gratitude for how the entire process unfolded.

Looking back, at that moment it became clear to me that even though I stood on the outside looking in, I was also simultaneously becoming a part of that history. Her words of thanks and appreciation allowed me to understand that no matter what a persons title or the maker of their suit, together we share in the history making process as soon as the recording begins.

As I reflect on Dr. Mills I am also reminded of Rev. Fay Akers, the current Reverend of Rankin Chapel as well as Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress of Alfred Street Baptist Church, both leaders of congregations and dynamic individuals who have a heart for service. Standing back, I can almost see just how fortunate I am to be able to share in their stories, and so many others. And yet, in the moment, I am totally unaware of the impact I may be having on their lives, in comparison to the impact I know that they were having on mine.

Each of us has an "impact factor" that I am sure we are not aware of. As I continue my work and my sharing of these experiences, I am hopeful that you, those reading this blog, will be mindful of the part you play in sharing, shaping and preserving our collective history for the generations to come, fully aware.

Dr. Donna Grant-Mills with Dean Emeritus Sanders

Memorial Day

OUAT Memorial Day Blog 2016

Holiday's are designed to allow each of us a moment to reflect on those who have transitioned from our lives. Whether they served in the armed forces or served us breakfast in our homes or schools, each person who has preceded us is a part of our memories, our collective selves, and therefore has a part to share in this "sacred" holiday observance.

I decided to spend this Memorial Day in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. As many of you who have been following me know, I discovered my roots here just last year while researching my Great Grandmother's story. This holiday weekend the City of Beaufort hosted "The Original Gullah Festival" that took place and gave me an opportunity to participate as a volunteer for the Penn Center.  For those of you who do not know about the history of Penn Center or Penn School,  I strongly recommend that you do some research on the role it played from the time slaves were liberated during the Civil War to the 1960's when Dr. King was writing portions of his "I Have A Dream" speech on its campus.

But I digress... the memories, even of Dr. King, play a part in the time spent for me giving reflection of my relatives who are now gone and the memories of others with whom I have been able to spend time with.  I posted a photo on my Facebook timeline last night of Mr. Lei Fang who shared a portion of his oral history with me that was truly amazing. A day before I had a conversation with a woman at the Original Gullah Festival discussing the life of Sandra Bland. 

Later that day I met a mother and daughter visiting from Baltimore and we mentioned Freddie Gray in our conversation.  And yesterday I even asked a dear friend, 80 years young, looking back on her life's experiences and relationships,  if she could speak with anyone who would she talk to and she answered, "my son", whom she lost many years ago.

Last night, as I sat as a guest at a gentleman's 66th birthday party, I was struck at the speech his mother-in-law gave reflecting on the memory of her daughters father who passed away even before the daughter was born. Her recounting of how the "Family" of the father, though he was not himself alive, remained a part of her life, so much so that over half of the attendees there were members of his family. It was powerful to witness and even more powerful to hear her say during her speech, "in truth, we are all family, we are all family".

Memorial Day for me is not only about the histories of our brave servicemen and women, it is also about the memories each of us carries within us. This includes the lives of our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, children and sometimes people we have never met in person, but who's lives have played a part in raising our awareness of how and why we are are connected as a people.

And so today, I extend this blog as a personal reflection to my friends and family as a kind reminder that we are all a part of a shared story of life, love and the memories we pass on to the next generation for their future Memorial Day celebrations and for our individual and collective legacies to be remembered and not forgotten.

A Growing Awareness

OUAT Blog for May 23rd

In light of the change of seasons that are currently upon us, it is impossible to ignore the "signs of the times".  In addition to allergies, wet weather and warmer days, the winds of change in our communities are making themselves known as well.

I had the distinct pleasure of being a part of the Celebrate Jackson Ward festivities that took place over the weekend at Abner Clay Park in Richmond, Virginia. These festivities marked a monumental time for this National Landmark District.  The Executive Director of the Richmond Symphony, Mr. David Fisk, spoke with me about the importance of community engagement and why a cultural institution like the Richmond Symphony came on board to not only support the community with an outdoor concert (albeit cancelled due to weather), but even went so far as to fund the video documentary OUAT produced, Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future (currently showing at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia).

Likewise, just 40 miles away in Powhatan County, OUAT was central in planning a public protest organized to bring awareness to the threat of the sale of the 2,200 acre property, a property that has been in service to the African American community and stewarded by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament since the late 1800's. Over 400 concerned citizens came out 2 weeks ago to show support and to stand in solidarity for the preservation of this historic space. 

As I participate in these events and speak with community leaders and organizers, there is a growing awareness that the need for "us" to actively participate in preserving "our" institutions, communities and neighborhoods is indeed growing. Whether the threat is covert gentrification, land developers poaching properties from minority communities or just the lack of awareness from residents with regards to the historic value of their space, this is the time in which we are currently living.

And as our residents grow older, the younger generation, my generation, must now begin to make its mark on the ways in which we will be the voice for the future preserving the stories of our  history. So we all must take into account the reality of our cause(s) and our situation(s), as well as be mindful and sensitive to what is at stake and consider all that may be lost due to our inaction.

Omega Psi Phi, Delta Omega Chapter, with youth mentees at the BHM screening of the Jackson Ward Documentary

Historical Perspective...

OUAT Blog for May 9th

Last week was the grand opening of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia located in the National Historic Landmark District of Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia. This museum represents a vital resource to the entire community bringing awareness of a long and little known history of  generations of people and families who have fought for "equality and justice for all",  a phrase used by Mr. John Thomas Mitchell, a Jackson Ward resident we interviewed who will celebrate his 100th birthday this October.

OUAT was tasked with producing a short documentary video, "Celebrating Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future" sponsored by the Richmond Symphony.  This opportunity enabled me to personally speak to men and women who represent the Jackson Ward neighborhood and to see that history through their life experience as former residents spanning over 90 years.

Even though I grew up in and around the city of Richmond, I realized just how little I knew about my own "hometown" when we started filming.  Once the process got underway, I quickly began to realize that my participation was actually more than just documenting history, it was passing on this history to those who, like myself, had never known or heard these stories before.

This experience has caused me to have a serious shift in my historical perspective in which I now view my hometown and the people who are alive today who have imparted their history to me.  The perspective of our collective history now causes me to have an even deeper appreciation for the Mr. Mitchell's of the world, or the impact of Mrs. Maggie L. Walker, or the appreciation for the alumni of Armstrong High School from the 1930's or Maggie Walker High School alumni from the 1950's.

My historical perspective is changing... it's growing... and I am learning to appreciate things today that I never gave thought to yesterday. Whether they be buildings, locations or people, my hometown's value has taken on a fresh new meaning... a meaning that I am proud to share and honored to be a part of for the generations to come.

Ryan Heathcock, Dr. Lauranett Lee & Mr. Gary L. Flowers co-producers of "Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future".