Peace and Blessings Family,

I am sooooo excited !!! :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

I don't think this idea of mine is new, unique, or original ... actually, it is probably an innate part of us.

Verbally telling the stories of our lives, passing them down from one to the other.

Well, with technology being what it is, we can hear the voices of our Elders, record them, and have the stories to share ... in their own voice ... for years to come!

I'm sooooooo excited !!! :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

Okay ... so ... as i thought on this, i thought wait ... i have an Elder ... my Mother-in-Law, who is 86 years old !!! :toast:

She has lived a long time, seen a lot, and not each and every one of us have an 86 year old we can go to, and ask questions of!

In addition, far too often, we let our Elders become Ancestors, without ever capturing their stories!

We should not let this happen anymore! It makes no sense at all!

So i'd like to encourage you all to consider the Elders in your Family (70+), and ask them to share with us.

They don't have to have a computer, as the interviews can be over the phone.

My question to you all is ... what questions should we ask them?

I'm thinking that we should have about 10 questions or so, that each Elder can respond to, as well as providing any additional information or stories they'd like.

So Family ... what questions should we be asking our Elders?

What do we need to know from them, before they leave us?

Oh Boy ... i'm soooooooo excited !!! :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

Looking forward to your questions and suggestions.

Much Love and Peace.

:heart:

Destee

Beautiful Destee! Beautiful Goddess Auset333!! I'm so glad finally someone has picked up on this vision. I've been hearing the Ancestors screaming at us about this idea for a long time. This is the core reason why I am studying Videocasting now, as well as DVD authoring.

For some reason, the Elders love talking to me. I don't know what it is. For the time I was a child, Elders always shared things with me they would never tell other children. Even now.

Here in Atlanta, we have a wealth of Elders who walked with Dr. King, some who "protected" Malcolm. I talk to these Elders all the time. And I'm thinking to myself, now why isn't anyone interviewing these Men and Women who were actually there?? I figured, fate wanted me to be the one to do it. Because, this is the honest truth. Some of these Elders have very valuable information that they won't tell anyone BUT us.

Just today, I spoke with a Gentlemen who wanted to reproduce some of the old newspapers he had. I was busy with another project, and I was going to tell him maybe next week. But I felt something, something told me- no-no-no. This is an Elder who paved a way for many of us here today. Guess what.

I checked the newspapers he had. He has been collecting a black newspaper published back in july 15, 1936. I will try to get a copy from him later. I was shocked that some of the material discussed in the paper, could be read right off this very forum. As if time hasn't moved an inch for Black folks since 1936.

There was an article in it that said Blacks shouldn't buy from businesses that don't hire them. I said to myself, we are going through this same thing right now! Still!

Our greatest sin as a nation, I've always said is that we have lost touch with our Elders. We need to improve that relationship. They have allot to teach us, and most of them are at the age where they love to talk, and we need to learn to love to listen. I love to listen to the Elders.

This is big. This is needed. No backing down. Let's do it. Action, Action, Action.

Thank You Sister Goddess and Brother MetaSaience.

Family ... we need to come up with the (final 10) questions as quickly as possible, as i have an Elder waiting in the wings already! :D

I'd like for us to have the list ready, so that each Elder may receive the same questions (in advance).

So far, i've come up with the following. As you'll notice, each number has several questions, but they are all related (i think). I want the questions to be good, allowing this to be our own oral history, which means they've got to be really good! :)

So of course mine may not qualify ... but here goes ...


1. Please tell us about yourself, whatever you'd like us to know about you!

2. Were you raised with both your Mother and Father? On a farm, in the city? What was your Family life like, lots of siblings, etc? Where in the Family do you fall, oldest, youngest, etc.? Please tell us the story.

3. Have you been married? How many children? How long were you married? What were some of the sacrifices and challenges of making strong, lasting, and loving marriages? What would you say to encourage young people today, to help them make lasting relationships?

4. What were the race conditions like when and where you grew up?

5. Were you ever discriminated against, because you are Black? If so, would you share some of those stories with us? When did it happen, where were you, how old, tell us the whole story!


Brother OldSoul ... if you are reading ... please give us some ideas for questions. You always encourage us to ask the right questions, so, if ever there was a time to ask the right ones ... i think it's now! :)

Okay Family ... we're harvesting our own oral history, from those who lived it, before us.

What questions need to be asked?

:heart:

Destee

Beloved MWkg MS:

As always, I am honored to be in the presence of the Truth and reality in you.
-----------------------------------------------
MS: For some reason, the Elders love talking to me. I don't know what it is. For the time I was a child, Elders always shared things with me they would never tell other children. Even now.
---------------------------------------------------------
Beloved, I sense that they saw a wise Old Soul in you. The same happens to me also.

Just like a Womb gender whose breast is full with Milk after given birth, the elders are so full of Knowledge, and they are bursting to share it with those who will listen to them attentively. Every womb gender who have given birth and had the Full Hard breast milk expereince knows the Freedom when that Breast Milk is gone. Elders get energized when we listen to them, because by listening to them we are taping into their Power of their knowledge.

We Behead ourselves of Much Knowledge, over standing and Wisdom when we are separated from the Divine Elders, and we wonder why we are confused, struggling...and the likes of. Our struggles is telling us we need to reconnect.

When we are disconnected from the Source, the Extra Support Elders are, we Cut the Cord to our Life line.

Beloved Destee, those are good questions.

What I encourage our people to do is to video tape our elders answering these questions and make enough copies to give others in the family.



:qqb018: :qqb018: :qqb018:

1. Did you personally know any relatives that were enslaved?

2. If yes, How did the family handle that?

3. Did you grow up on a plantation?

4. Did the elders share stories with you?

5. Would you mind sharing some of the stories with us?

6. What was it like for you growing up during segregation?

7. Who were your childhood friends? What did yall do for fun and what did yall talk about?

8. How did you feel about being born black?

9. If you could go back and do something different, what would that be?

Oh yeah, a few more!

10. How far back can you trace your relatives?

11. Did you ever leave home? If yes, how old were you and why did you decide to leave?

12. If your parents raised you, what are some of your most cherished memories about them?

:heart:

Thank You All So Much Family !!!! :love:

We discussed this endeavor tonight in Class with Destee, and got a few more questions :

[oldsoul] 7:46 pm: "how did you want life to be different for your children and grandchildren's lives"?

[river] 7:50 pm: ask them what gift did the generation before them leave to them

[Ms Drea] 7:53 pm: most probably would like to talk about their former occupations, Sister Des

[oldsoul] 7:59 pm: ask them to talk about "race men"
[oldsoul] 8:00 pm: Marcus Garvey was a race man

[Ms Drea] 8:00 pm: just ask them their feelings about racial issues during their school years

[river] 8:01 pm: ask them to tell about when they first realized that they were black. what did it mean. what was it supposed to mean?

Thank You All So Much !!!! :toast:

If you can think of more questions we can ask our Elders, please post them.

Also ... be thinking of those in your Family or that you know, who are over 70 years old, and ask them if they'd be interested in answering questions like these ... sharing with us.

All they need is a telephone, and we'll do the rest.

I'm so excited about this!!! :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

Thank You Thank You Thank You Family !!! :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

:heart:

Destee

Okay Family ... i'm still real hyped about this endeavor, and i believe we may have our first ELDER INTERVIEW during Class with Destee tonight!

I won't say too much, as it may not work out.

Our Elder is out and about, and may not make it home in time to be comfortable and ready for an interview.

It's such a blessing, because this first Elder is sooooo dear to me, and trusts me completely, which is why they are willing to do this ... even though it's not real clear to them ... and they'd probably be reluctant, if anyone else had asked them! :D

They Love Me !!!! :love:

Sooooo ... keep your fingers crossed and join us tonight @ 8 pm ET!

One little piece of info though ... they are 80 years old !!!! :jumping:

Whew!

I LOVE IT !!!

Join us tonight if you can ... www.destee.com/chat!

:heart:

Destee

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY GOSH !!!!!

OUR FIRST ELDER INTERVIEW !!!!!!

MRS MOORE ... WHO IS 80 YEARS OLD !!!!! :jumping:

I LOVE YOU MS. MOORE !!!! THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU !!!!

THANK YOU ALL THAT WERE PRESENT AND LENT YOUR SPIRIT TO THE EFFORT !!!!

IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL !!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY !!!!!! :toast:

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU !!!! :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

:heart:

Destee

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY GOSH !!!!!

OUR FIRST ELDER INTERVIEW !!!!!!

MRS MOORE ... WHO IS 80 YEARS OLD !!!!! :jumping:

I LOVE YOU MS. MOORE !!!! THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU !!!!

THANK YOU ALL THAT WERE PRESENT AND LENT YOUR SPIRIT TO THE EFFORT !!!!

IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL !!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY !!!!!! :toast:

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU !!!! :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

:heart:

Destee

I had missed the interview. Can you post what was asked and her responses please!!!

I had missed the interview. Can you post what was asked and her responses please!!!

Jaisolovely ... i'm sorry you missed the interview! We've not decided how best to present them, after completion, so we're holding off ... to be sure we do it in the best possible manner.

Right now, the best way to be able to catch the interview, is to catch it LIVE! :D

We'll be doing another tonight @ 8 pm ET ... with another of our GREAT ELDERS !!! :toast:

So please do join us ... Class with Destee @ 8 pm ET (http://destee.com/chat) ... NEW ELDER INTERVIEW!

Much Love and Peace!

:heart:

Destee

Class with Destee ... Join Us! (http://destee.com/chat) ... Elder Interview Tonight!

:heart:

Destee

I regret not being able to be here for these occasions and interviews. Everyday I look for elders on the bus or on the streets as I'm moving around or going to work so that I can speak with them. There are things about our elders...aka Ancestors that must never be forgotten and always respected.

1. Many of them were not able to do what we do, to know what we know or to have the opportunities that a lot of us take for granted.

2. Regardless of that, all of them in their heart lived with the hope that their children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, would know more than they knew, do more than they did and have more than they had.

3. They, like us today, were victims of white supremacy and very often more overt or physical....not to forget the mental and emotional also....and yet they did the best they could based upon and despite their conditioning, their struggles and their lack to do any better. In fact, they must be praised for doing a more SUPERIOR job with less than many do today with the MORE that they have at their disposal.

4. More than anything, they remember when our people WERE REALLY OUR PEOPLE...a time of integrity, brotherly and sisterly love....when we respected our parents and elders and each other...a time when we really knew who our enemy was and were not consciously trying to be like them. A time when we still had values and dignity within ourselves and our communities....a time when we loved ourselves and those who looked like us.

5. They are the reason we are are here and it is their backs and shoulders that we stand upon...for within them lies a SPIRIT and essence of who we are that many of us have lost or know nothing about...a spirit that we are now fighting to recover and instill within our children to stop and prevent the mental and physical death that now plagues them and us as a people.

Destee...this was brilliant of you!!!

I regret not being able to be here for these occasions and interviews. Everyday I look for elders on the bus or on the streets as I'm moving around or going to work so that I can speak with them. There are things about our elders...aka Ancestors that must never be forgotten and always respected.

1. Many of them were not able to do what we do, to know what we know or to have the opportunities that a lot of us take for granted.

2. Regardless of that, all of them in their heart lived with the hope that their children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, would know more than they knew, do more than they did and have more than they had.

3. They, like us today, were victims of white supremacy and very often more overt or physical....not to forget the mental and emotional also....and yet they did the best they could based upon and despite their conditioning, their struggles and their lack to do any better. In fact, they must be praised for doing a more SUPERIOR job with less than many do today with the MORE that they have at their disposal.

4. More than anything, they remember when our people WERE REALLY OUR PEOPLE...a time of integrity, brotherly and sisterly love....when we respected our parents and elders and each other...a time when we really knew who our enemy was and were not consciously trying to be like them. A time when we still had values and dignity within ourselves and our communities....a time when we loved ourselves and those who looked like us.

5. They are the reason we are are here and it is their backs and shoulders that we stand upon...for within them lies a SPIRIT and essence of who we are that many of us have lost or know nothing about...a spirit that we are now fighting to recover and instill within our children to stop and prevent the mental and physical death that now plagues them and us as a people.

Destee...this was brilliant of you!!!


Brother Keita ... this is beautiful ... Thank You! ... :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

:heart:

Destee

BRAND NEW ELDER INTERVIEW ... :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: ... SUNDAY @ 8 pm ET !!!! ... :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

Mr. Neely Fuller, Jr. will be our Elder Interview-eeeee ... :D ... :toast: :toast: :toast:

We have had the pleasure of Mr. Fuller joining us on several different occasions, but this time, it will be different. In the past, he's spoke primarily on racism / white supremacy, how we can overcome it, his book, etc.

Well ... this time ... drum roll please ... :drums: ... he'll be telling us about his life, how things were when he grew up, etc !!!! :D

I know you don't want to miss this ... so don't be late !!!

Mr. Fuller ... New Elder Interview ... Sunday @ 8 pm ET! ... www.destee.com/chat ... :love:

See you there!

Oh ... by the way ... Mr. Fuller is 76 years old, if no mistake.

:heart:

Destee

BRAND NEW ELDER INTERVIEW ... :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: ... SUNDAY @ 8 pm ET !!!! ... :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

Mr. Neely Fuller, Jr. will be our Elder Interview-eeeee ... :D ... :toast: :toast: :toast:

We have had the pleasure of Mr. Fuller joining us on several different occasions, but this time, it will be different. In the past, he's spoke primarily on racism / white supremacy, how we can overcome it, his book, etc.

Well ... this time ... drum roll please ... :drums: ... he'll be telling us about his life, how things were when he grew up, etc !!!! :D

I know you don't want to miss this ... so don't be late !!!

Mr. Fuller ... New Elder Interview ... Sunday @ 8 pm ET! ... www.destee.com/chat ... :love:

See you there!

Oh ... by the way ... Mr. Fuller is 76 years old, if no mistake.

:heart:

Destee
I will surely be there. I came here just in time.:bowdown:Destee, you are the bomb!

I think giving our Elders back their spot is the first step we have to take towards recovery.

That said, we are then presented with another problem. Clearly all Elders, are not wise. or seeking our betterment. But who decides who is wise enough to be revered,obeyed and listened to? We can't all agree on that and we all never will, but maybe some of us will one day.

For example, personally, I would listen to an Elder like chief Osiris. Even if I didn't agree with his decision, if I was in conflict with another brother or sister, this elder could squash it with a word, because even though I've read him rebuking us for our shortcomings, I'd never read the man denigrate us, or try to lower us in the eyes of the world. He only tries to uplift in his praise, knowledge and criticism. Unfortunantly Elders like this, don't get the shine some others do.

A wise elder--in my oppinion should be raised above all but the great, unknowable Creator. That's how the man/god stuff started in the first place. No image, or myth, or energy should be lifted above a wise elder.

But the thing is, an Elder should be an Elder--in other words aged, wise and with a life's work that proves their mettle. No young or middle-aged man can handle the power or great responsibility that we should give our Elders.

For example: We have gang problems. If our Elders were given back their proper position, they would be able to settle the worse gang war with just a word. They would have that much juice and respect.


At one time they did.

We need to get back to that. We are bombarded with a lot of negativeity about ourselves, but we have among us, some of the most selfless, righteous people on earth. They just don't get the shine. But we have them in our communities, and they are not preaching any long haired white man on us. They are just quietly working, trying to take care of us one person at a time.

The game is to make us believe that we are incorrigeable, and hopeless, but history and myth says that all the great man/gods who sacrificed and tried to make the world a better place were black men.

This may sound like hyperbole, but the evidence backs me up. The highest hieghts in righteous, love, and selfless sacrifice for others, can be reached, and has never been reached by none other than a back man.

This is coming from a guy who believes in giving the goddess her spot as the supreme being of all WoMankind. Still, the evidence --Ancient and modern, declares that the black man singularly, is the essence of the righteous energy in this universe. He is the guardian and defender, of the weak, oppressed and abused.

Beautiful Destee! Beautiful Goddess Auset333!! I'm so glad finally someone has picked up on this vision. I've been hearing the Ancestors screaming at us about this idea for a long time. This is the core reason why I am studying Videocasting now, as well as DVD authoring.

For some reason, the Elders love talking to me. I don't know what it is. For the time I was a child, Elders always shared things with me they would never tell other children. Even now.

Here in Atlanta, we have a wealth of Elders who walked with Dr. King, some who "protected" Malcolm. I talk to these Elders all the time. And I'm thinking to myself, now why isn't anyone interviewing these Men and Women who were actually there?? I figured, fate wanted me to be the one to do it. Because, this is the honest truth. Some of these Elders have very valuable information that they won't tell anyone BUT us.

Just today, I spoke with a Gentlemen who wanted to reproduce some of the old newspapers he had. I was busy with another project, and I was going to tell him maybe next week. But I felt something, something told me- no-no-no. This is an Elder who paved a way for many of us here today. Guess what.

I checked the newspapers he had. He has been collecting a black newspaper published back in july 15, 1936. I will try to get a copy from him later. I was shocked that some of the material discussed in the paper, could be read right off this very forum. As if time hasn't moved an inch for Black folks since 1936.

There was an article in it that said Blacks shouldn't buy from businesses that don't hire them. I said to myself, we are going through this same thing right now! Still!

Our greatest sin as a nation, I've always said is that we have lost touch with our Elders. We need to improve that relationship. They have allot to teach us, and most of them are at the age where they love to talk, and we need to learn to love to listen. I love to listen to the Elders.

This is big. This is needed. No backing down. Let's do it. Action, Action, Action.

a few weeks ago i visited my sole surviving grandma in cali who is 89 and close to passing. i never asked her questions about the past just always listen to what she chooses to share. i moved back home to be closer to her and my other elder relatives and if i sell my home in texas i plan on devoting greater effort in spending more time with them and listening to their stories and documenting much as possible. i dont think any are ready to be formally interviewd but that may change in time.

May I suggest that we interview my father. He is still a couple years shy of 70 but he is a retired mental health counselor and an airforce veteran.

I have often thought that if I could get my father and brotha oldsoul in the same room together the discussion that ensues would go down in history.

He worked for several decades as a mental health counselor at the Washington Department of Human Resources during the time DC was 87 % Black and has a brilliant overstanding of the mindset of our people. He keeps up with current new. Like brotha oldsoul he can speak intelligently and knowledgeably about almost any subject.

I think the fambly could get a lot out of talking to him.

Any seconds on the motion?

all Elders, are not wise. or seeking our betterment.
yes we are......:angel1:

a few weeks ago i visited my sole surviving grandma in cali who is 89 and close to passing. i never asked her questions about the past just always listen to what she chooses to share. i moved back home to be closer to her and my other elder relatives and if i sell my home in texas i plan on devoting greater effort in spending more time with them and listening to their stories and documenting much as possible. i dont think any are ready to be formally interviewd but that may change in time.
grandma passed and im ready to move back home to texas...
peace y'all...

yes we are......:angel1:
yes...you are...

grandma passed and im ready to move back home to texas...
peace y'all...
very sorry to hear that. peace be unto you:grouphug:

grandma passed and im ready to move back home to texas...
peace y'all...

Bless your heart Brother O ... yes, this must be a sad time for you. Such a blessing though, that you got to her before she passed, that you could love her and rub her and give her to know you were there ... for you and for her ... that was a blessing. Hold tight to all the wonderful memories, even though i know i don't have to tell you to do this!

Much Much Love and Peace.

:heart:

Destee

I think giving our Elders back their spot is the first step we have to take towards recovery.

That said, we are then presented with another problem. Clearly all Elders, are not wise. or seeking our betterment. But who decides who is wise enough to be revered,obeyed and listened to? We can't all agree on that and we all never will, but maybe some of us will one day.

For example, personally, I would listen to an Elder like chief Osiris. Even if I didn't agree with his decision, if I was in conflict with another brother or sister, this elder could squash it with a word, because even though I've read him rebuking us for our shortcomings, I'd never read the man denigrate us, or try to lower us in the eyes of the world. He only tries to uplift in his praise, knowledge and criticism. Unfortunantly Elders like this, don't get the shine some others do.

A wise elder--in my oppinion should be raised above all but the great, unknowable Creator. That's how the man/god stuff started in the first place. No image, or myth, or energy should be lifted above a wise elder.

But the thing is, an Elder should be an Elder--in other words aged, wise and with a life's work that proves their mettle. No young or middle-aged man can handle the power or great responsibility that we should give our Elders.

For example: We have gang problems. If our Elders were given back their proper position, they would be able to settle the worse gang war with just a word. They would have that much juice and respect.


At one time they did.

We need to get back to that. We are bombarded with a lot of negativeity about ourselves, but we have among us, some of the most selfless, righteous people on earth. They just don't get the shine. But we have them in our communities, and they are not preaching any long haired white man on us. They are just quietly working, trying to take care of us one person at a time.

The game is to make us believe that we are incorrigeable, and hopeless, but history and myth says that all the great man/gods who sacrificed and tried to make the world a better place were black men.

This may sound like hyperbole, but the evidence backs me up. The highest hieghts in righteous, love, and selfless sacrifice for others, can be reached, and has never been reached by none other than a back man.

This is coming from a guy who believes in giving the goddess her spot as the supreme being of all WoMankind. Still, the evidence --Ancient and modern, declares that the black man singularly, is the essence of the righteous energy in this universe. He is the guardian and defender, of the weak, oppressed and abused.

Brother Mardukson ... thanks for sharing. I agree with most all that you've said.

I do hope this means you'll be joining us in voice chat (http://destee.com/chat), during our live Elder Interviews soon?

:heart:

Destee

May I suggest that we interview my father. He is still a couple years shy of 70 but he is a retired mental health counselor and an airforce veteran.

I have often thought that if I could get my father and brotha oldsoul in the same room together the discussion that ensues would go down in history.

He worked for several decades as a mental health counselor at the Washington Department of Human Resources during the time DC was 87 % Black and has a brilliant overstanding of the mindset of our people. He keeps up with current new. Like brotha oldsoul he can speak intelligently and knowledgeably about almost any subject.

I think the fambly could get a lot out of talking to him.

Any seconds on the motion?

Sister River ... thank you for wanting your Father to share with us! That would be so great! Right now though, we are trying to focus on, and get, those over 70 ... as they are the eldest of the Elders ... and once it seems like we've run out of those in that age group, we can begin getting the "youngsters" ... :) ... but really ... i want us to focus on the over 70 first, it just seems logical to get those that may be leaving us sooner.

My mic is still messed up, so i don't think i'll be doing an Elder Interview on Sunday. I don't want us running into the snap, crackle, pop that we had last time ... but as soon as i do, we'll be back up and running.

Thank you Sister for being willing to share your Father with us, don't worry, we'll get to him ... as i don't have a bunch of over 70 folk beating my door down! :D

I am wanting that though Family ... so if you have an over 70 Elder in the Family, please let them share with us!

Love You!

:heart:

Destee

:hearthis: :::: New Elder Interview (http://destee.com/chat) Our Oldest Elder Yet - 92 Years Old!!! - Join Us @ 8 pm ET! (http://destee.com/chat) - :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

:heart:

Destee