Having worked as a volunteer on Black history in North Carolina for fifteen years, I found the door of opportunities wide open. Of the more significant of those was the chance to portray 1800's historic figures such as, furniture designer Thomas Day and, poet & author George Moses Horton. Also, I produced a short film documenting an important Civil War moment in time(see post on Princeville, NC).
Reeactors portray US Colored Troops, clergy, farmers and other average folks going about their lives at the end of the Civil War. It's fun and educational, and there are national and local reenactment groups in many places for you to connect with. Usually, no experience is necessary.
Unfortunately, since the American education system has never allowed the struggles or accomplishments of Blacks to be taught in the public schools, we must teach ourselves. As poet Maya Angelou has penned so eloquently, "History, despite its wrenching pain, can- not be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again".
However, finding people to reenact has been difficult. Some people are
still uncomfortable with themes involving slavery and the Civil War. The only way to get over that is find out what really happened, and how hard our ancestors struggled.
So, weather you get invovled in reenacting as a hobby, or you'd like to hire a reenactor or storyteller for your event or reunion, please get involved. Also, you don't have to be Black, there were whites, Hispanics, native Americans in our history as well.
Go to the links section of the home page to connect with groups involved in reeacting and storytelling.
Reeactors portray US Colored Troops, clergy, farmers and other average folks going about their lives at the end of the Civil War. It's fun and educational, and there are national and local reenactment groups in many places for you to connect with. Usually, no experience is necessary.
Unfortunately, since the American education system has never allowed the struggles or accomplishments of Blacks to be taught in the public schools, we must teach ourselves. As poet Maya Angelou has penned so eloquently, "History, despite its wrenching pain, can- not be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again".
However, finding people to reenact has been difficult. Some people are
still uncomfortable with themes involving slavery and the Civil War. The only way to get over that is find out what really happened, and how hard our ancestors struggled.
So, weather you get invovled in reenacting as a hobby, or you'd like to hire a reenactor or storyteller for your event or reunion, please get involved. Also, you don't have to be Black, there were whites, Hispanics, native Americans in our history as well.
Go to the links section of the home page to connect with groups involved in reeacting and storytelling.
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