Irene and Johnny Lewis
When we were growing up, people were lovely. You could go to bed at night and leave the door open. You could go to town and leave the door open, without any problem. We loved each other.
We used to farm all this land in the back: peas, corn, watermelon, and okra, and we raised hogs and chickens. Some people’s fields didn't turn out, but it didn't matter because everyone always shared. They'd come here and I was glad I could give it. Anything I can give a person I don't mind. If I didn't have food, someone would give me food. If I needed to go to the doctor and didn't have the money, someone would take me. We shared work and helped each other out.
You could go to someone's house and be there all day. People would sit and talk, quilt during the day, help with the garden, and have get-togethers with singing. We were living in old shack houses. We didn't have electricity, or water inside... we had outdoor closets. Now we have electricity and we have water inside, but we have lost something. That something is love and caring for one another. That has made a big difference.
When all five houses were sharing, working together, quilting together, and helping each other in the fields, we could go to everyone’s houses. Now everyone is drawn up, and the street is different. People built houses and bought trailers and it pulled apart. You would see people on the street before. They’re still here, but it seems to me everybody went into a nutshell.
Now you have to quilt by yourself. So much love and care fell apart. When we were loving together, we could go to bed with the door open. People started stealing from each other, and it affected us real bad, it turned out to be terrible. We are always afraid to leave home. I’m afraid to come home because everything might be gone. They took the lock top off the gas and took the gas out of the car! They took a money order out of that girl’s mailbox. You are afraid to leave your mail. It traps a person inside. I’m afraid to put bars in my window, because you can’t get to the door if there’s a fire. I wish it could go back to how it was at the beginning of my time. If I couldn’t get it all, then just half of it.
It’s still possible. It is valuable. We can come together to be lovely together. It is very important. It brings love and care for one another. We don't get to see everybody in the community. We are kind of scattered. Just coming together and talking to each other is important. We could sit and talk, bring ideas to work on, fix a dinner, eat, and socialize together.
Irene and Johnny Lewis
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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