I am not referring to slavery but rather the post slavery period.
I talk to old people. They are a fount of knowledge. I seek to capture that knowledge.
One thing about old white Southern people: They lived closely and intimately with black people. They rubbed elbows.
They have a lot of stories about the old days and the old ways.
One neighbor lady’s family were farmers. She said every year her family planted a plot way off in the corner with winter squash and the like specifically for their poor black neighbors to take, because they knew the blacks were poor and wanted to help them.
You don’t hear about stuff like that anymore.
She also said when they killed a cow the blacks only bought the cheap parts.
Seems to me we waste a valuable resource in our nation. The observations and lessons learned in life by our seniors, should be paid more attention to. Not on everything, but on things that are truly intellectual and make perfect sense. It’s a perspective that goes largely wasted. That’s a shame.
That’s a little self-serving since I’m easing into that group, but I have always thought so. I have always enjoyed being around older people.
Thank you for your comments.