The journey is over but the discussion continues....

The new dvd of my journey throughout the state is available to all now from the Freedom Quest: Ohio website. If you would like to purchase the dvd, please go to www.wviz.org/freedomquest, click on the "purchase the dvd" button and fill out then submit the form. After viewing the dvd, please return to this blog in order to post any comments you have in order to begin a new dialog of freedom.

Old-Time Minstrel Shows

In my journal entry for April 30, I was talking about Dan Emmett, Bert Williams, and the old-time minstrel shows.

How should we feel about black face minstrel shows, when they were performed hundreds of years ago or that they are once-in-awhile performed now? As a joke?

Are you comfortable talking about this show business with family or friends?

How do you feel about talking about them in class with black and white classmates?

"Freedom's Work"

Here is another question for us to discuss:

171 years ago people risked their lives in doing freedom’s work. I wonder what I would have done? What would you have done? (question taken from my journal entry dated 4/28/05)

Thoughts and Questions for discussion

Hello again.

Here are a few thoughts and questions I've had during the first three weeks of my journey. You may comment on any or all of the questions. It may help you to refer to my journal (click on the link at the top of this page) in order to see what was going on that day.

Remember that when you comment, select "other" in order to type in your name. Also, please do not write your personal email address in your comment. I will try to respond to your individual questions right here on the blog.

See you soon!

4/13/05 Ripley, OH

Did you know that Cleveland's Underground Railroad name was "Hope?”
Do you the name of the man who created a system of Underground Railroad code names? What were some of the other code names for cities?

4/18/05 Springboro, OH

What does freedom mean today? Where can you find it? How can you work for it in your everyday life? Do you always choose to do the right thing?

4/24/05

What would it have been like living during the days of slavery’s terrorism? Sometimes I try to imagine my own mother, my four children and grandchildren, Nik, Jeremy, Brandon, Nate, Ruby, Irene, Brian, Helena and Alex back 200 years ago. What choices would I have had? What choices would I have made?

Can you imagine? What do you think your family would have done?

Sorry for the delay

Good Morning, I have to start with a big apology: I am so sorry it has taken me so long to blog. Because this is all new to me I did not even no the right question to ask when I was trying to learn how to use this kind of internet conversation. I kept waiting for some one else to say now we will 'blog." I did not even know that blogging can happen any time.

You kids are probably laughing and rolling on the floor at my "ignorance" but I am 76 years old and not at all tech savy. I don't even have a cell phone. Or a DVD or a palm pilot. I did not even get a color TV until practically every one else in the country had one. I loved my little 12 inch black and white TV :-) (I really like my color TV now)

Anyway Hello and I really am sorry about the delay. And I will check in often and let you know where we are and what we have been doing.

My next post will contain a few thoughts I've had during my journey as well as a few questions for you to ponder. I really would like you to discuss these and comment on them when you get a chance. If you have any additional questions for me, I will do my best to answer them. See you soon.

-Joan

Joan Southgate