Hersey & Coria Lee Bryant
Hersey: I like to be in the new community space. More blacks comin’, people gettin’ together, learning to quilt, I’ll be learnin’ dominoes...it’s exciting. I talk to a lot of them, and I feel good. If we could get more, we could feel better. If you don’t go you're not going to learn that. I worked for white people 35 years, so I got used to being around white, they worked at the chicken house and fish plants. These in this rural area been shut off by themselves, they don’t even visit each other. When I was coming up everybody visited. There were seven or eight houses: if we killed a hog, mama made me carry a piece of meat to every house. Everybody helped each other, but things got different. I would be happy if we came together as a community. Irene and I sing the song, “when all of God’s children get together,” it didn’t say part of them, it said all of them. I believe the community would be more productive if all of them were together. You could have ten folks here, and all of them come to sing and we’ll have a time. If five of them come to sing, and five of them come to talk about what you didn’t do or should’ve done, that’s divided. I’m hoping for getting better, if there’s any chance.
Coria Lee: In New York we made our gatherings. We would have get togethers, dinner at each other’s houses, or a movie. Growing up in Faunsdale everybody visited. Now it seems that people cannot go across the street to each other’s houses. They stay in their own yard. It seems that when the older generation died, those left stopped associating. It’s ok to pass and blow the horn, but you driving 60 miles an hour saying how ya doin’ out the window without slowing down to hear what I’m going to say, if I’m alright, or if I’m not alright...that’s not comin’ together.
I was so excited to come home to where we were taught to love one another. But I was disappointed, I tell you it’s two different times. Now I enjoy the new community events so much. You feel love, learn, meet new friends, and become acquainted with them. It builds strength. You are more successful making a difference as a group than with just one or two people. The children are watching us; we are the only book that some of them will ever read. We should live how we want our children to live. I’d like community space where this can continue. It’s helping the community.
I was so excited when Anne Bailey came here last Saturday evening! We sat and talked and shared with each other. I waited, thinking she’s going to want me to do something. She said, “I just wanted to come and see you!” That wouldn’t have happened before. If I needed help she would come, but just to say hi, that was really something! That did a lot for me. I didn't want her to go and she didn’t want to go. You don’t finish a good conversation with a friend, you just break it off. When you meet again you start back on. I was thrilled. I told Anne, you have made my day.
Hersey and Coria Lee Bryant
Newbern, Alabama
Outsidein. A Community Space for Hale County.
outsidein: a community space for hale county. build space with your voice.
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