15 Comments
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Nancie McDermott's avatar

This is radiantly beautiful, poignant, moving. Your words speak directly to my heart on this day in this season.

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Angela (aht)'s avatar

On Poetry Unbound this morning a poem by Richard Hayden - Those Winter Sundays”- feels aligned with your reflection. What we know and what is unknown. Questions we’d like to ask but time has passed. Our ancestors lives were full and rich. As we age (not saying you’re old) we see and wonder with new perspectives. Peace

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Eddie's avatar

I love this!

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Nancy Cameron's avatar

Oh thank you, Dr. Gaude, for this line I will carry in my heart “where hope and despair danced.”

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Mary Roach's avatar

“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith”

- Margaret Shepard

Dr. Glaude,

Your extra weekly sessions are greatly appreciated. Today’s session reminded me of the records my parents would take to their rent parties in Cleveland’s inner city.

These parties were given in the 50’s and 60’s for neighbors or friends who had fallen on hard times. They didn’t stand idly by to see their friends evicted. No matter how heavy our burdens, we must keep going!

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Jen Cahill's avatar

One of the most beautiful and inspiring songs I’ve ever heard. Your piece reminds me of all of the questions I have that I’ll never be able to ask my grandparents and great-grandparents about their lives but also the wonderful stories they did pass down and how I can feel their histories in my bones. Thank you Professor! You are a treasure.

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Teresagwoods's avatar

Damn that was a good read. I can't think of a better way to start my day, this will stick with me.

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Thom E Butler's avatar

The records too... old and new

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Thom E Butler's avatar

I know that 10 year feeling os strangeness from my home on the south florida coast and it too has stayed with me for the 60 years since. Seems like Im feeling it even more now at 70.

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Lucius T. Outlaw, Jr.'s avatar

Amen Home Boy Eddie! Amen!!

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memiem@comcast.net's avatar

Beautiful memory and story

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E. Jean Boone's avatar

A lovely memory…

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Tony Dillon's avatar

All modern American music comes from Black churches-Blues and Gospel both pitch and tempo both use call and response both integrate major and minor modes interchangeably

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Angela Tribue's avatar

This story is so beautiful and it is haunting. It has posed the question to African American people to dig deep down and rescue those memories, stories which will help us to understand who we are and the task we have been given.

History has now revealed its ugly truth that people of color will never be free ! Our most recent lumber is over, the rebirth of this Racist Nation is again here; to bear “strange fruit “ if we aren’t careful.

African Americans need to be strategic and understand the mission if we want to see another chapter of change which will be of benefit for us!

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Charles Boyd's avatar

Such a beautiful story! Thank you sir!

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