StoryCorps Facilitator Weblog » Jason

Farewell Nadja, Welcome John

Jason — Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Tuesday May 29th, 2007. 5:30pm. Detroit, MI aka Motorcity.
After two years with StoryCorps, facilitator Nadja Middleton passes the torch during the customary Changing of the Griot Guard.
Bye-bye Nadja. Hello Johnny!

Bone Chilling

Jason — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:09:00 +0000

"When my father died it hurt, but when Dr. King died…it took me to a whole ‘nother level."
- Lula Joe Williams, on the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Lula Joe Williams was an employee of the SCLC and was present in the office on the last day of Dr. King’s life.

Lula Joe
a poem

When I heard the news
That King was dead
My throat opened
Released a pain
At a God deafening volume
My heart
Billy-club beating broken

My legs
Water hose weak
Wishing for one more walk
One more march
With Martin

One more wave
And confident
Tilt of the fedora
One more
Anything

Sometimes I still
Think of that day
Daydreaming with
Eyes still
Tear gas glazed
How he came into the office
That morning
Tired solemn serious
But sweet enough
To wave goodbye to me
Before Memphis

I would’ve waved back
And maybe gave him a hug
And whispered something like
Well done

Had I known

- poem by Jason Reynolds

Etha Hall

Jason — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 22:12:00 +0000

Etha Hall,71, talked about coming to Atlanta as a young girl, after being beaten by whites in rural Alabama, and being enamored by the flashy lights and the self contained community that is the Historic Fourth Ward.

Etha
A poem

So we moved to
Sweet Auburn Avenue
Where the lights
Were bright
And the people
Were dark
And I could go
To a store owned
By one of us
Walk right up
To the counter
And say
Hay jack gimme
A colllllllld Coke

And ironically get a
Warm smile
In return

poem by Jason Reynolds