Ella Cothran
We recently had an ecumenical service in the Presbyterian church with a retired black minister who had his doctorate. He was absolutely wonderful, an excellent speaker. We had more white people than black people, but it was open to everyone. People from all churches were in the choir, their voices were beautiful.
I saw people there that I never would have thought would come, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Once they had the opportunity to be exposed people came. A lot of people don't want to go because they don’t want to be criticized by their friends, and you'll get criticism. Years ago I would have been a little more conscious, but now that I have reached the age I am, I don’t much care.
Music always gets me. More people should have access to events! During the Christmas season I went to Stillman college and, without a doubt, that was one of the most beautiful music programs I have ever listened to. Oh it was gorgeous, they performed so beautifully! When I was in activities at the nursing home I had Mr. Brasfield (he was the principal at Baptist Hill) bring the band to the nursing home for an outdoor concert. Those old people loved it.
I shall always remember when Amelia was young, I took her to Birmingham to the opera and she nearly had a fit. Then she said "oh Mama I love that!" She enjoyed it! I was active years ago on Arts Council and we were able to get Shakespeare in the Theatre to come down and perform. The English teacher told her students she would give them 70 points if they attended. They came and they couldn't believe they enjoyed it because it was Shakespeare. See? They hadn't been exposed. When people are exposed it does wonders. They realize there's something in this world that they can enjoy that they never thought.
We need entertainment and variety. Everybody likes to laugh, we need more of it! The days will be getting longer and the weather will be getting better. It would be so nice to have an outdoor event with comedy. Can anyone play the trombone? or the violin? There is a lot of talent in this town, there's probably a lot of talent that we don’t even know about. If you could have heard the choir that had both the blacks and the whites in it, it was beautiful. I've always thought they could have a concert...
I would like to see a clean place, with everyone loving. You can't like everybody, but you can always love everyone. People could love one another, try to help each other, and be peaceful. You know that song from South Pacific: "You've got to be taught to hate and to fear, you've got be taught from year to year, to hate all the things that your relatives hate, you've got to be carefully taught." That's true. Education and exposure are so important. If you are exposed to situations you know what a difference it makes to you, you have more self confidence.
Ella Cothran.
Domestic Engineer. Greensboro, Alabama
Outsidein. A Community Space for Hale County.
outsidein: a community space for hale county. build space with your voice.
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