Old School Thoughts

If you enjoyed my first conversation with Alberta Winston Casey Foster, you are going to enjoy part two of her three part interview. In this conversation, Alberta talks about the importance of acquiring property and land along with leaving a legacy for the next generation. If you like this episode, please share it with others.

This is part one of a three part series. If any of you have been following Old School Thoughts, you know that I love maternal advice from our matriarchs. That is what Cousin Alberta shared during our first interview together. Cousin Alberta starts out by recognizing the influences her mother and two sisters had on her life. It is something how observing maids gathering at the bus stop played a role in Alberta reaching for higher goals and even the lack of desire to learn how to cook. Please take the time to listen and share this series of episodes by Alberta Winston Casey Foster.

Mr. Asaud Frazier continued his story about history of the family’s land and the leadership of his Grandmother Ella and Great-Aunt Beatrice. Please listen and share.

In this two part series, Mr. Asaud Frazier, an African American Farmer/entrepreneur shares his story about the two women who inspired him most; Grandmother Ella and Grand-Aunt Beatrice. This story is rich in history and exemplifies the importance of land ownership. Please listen and share.

I invited Pastor Daniels to return to Old School Thoughts to share with us his feelings and purpose for writing his new book: Take The Stairs - Not The Elevator. He provides weekly YouTube Bible lessons and sermons for individuals who are unable to attend church for many reasons. I enjoyed the interview - as usual.

Keeping History “100” is the best way, for me, to sum up my conversation with Kathy Perdue. I asked Kathy to give me her interpretation of what the theme “History is Personal” means and if she would “Give Life To History” as it pertains to her family’s history. Influenced by her mother and her ancestral spirit, Kathy kept it “100.” It was important for me to understand that she was going to keep it “100” and she did.

I want to thank Daphine for agreeing to return for a part two of her interview to share the history of her paternal Jamaican lineage.

Thank you, Daphine Johnson, for sharing your time and history with us. I am always amazed to hear about the triumphs of our ancestors. When Daphine spoke of her great-grandmothers decision to work, sacrifice, save, and purchase 40 acres of land, it caused me to question, like always, how did they achieve so much while we are losing so much? Daphine spoke of her great-grandmothers regimen of being organized in her thoughts and missions without having a higher level of “formal education” as perceived in the writing of her will, but she achieved! There is always something to learn from the examples set by our ancestors: survival, stubbornness to achieve better, a foundation to lean/stand on, and more.

At 6:00 PM (EST), 12 February 2022, I vicariously boarded the Casey Family Train of peace and freedom seekers inside of a Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Railroad passenger coach. The tour guide was Janice Casey Bond. She took me back to Martha Scarborough, Columbus Casey - those who endured the institution of slavery. I watched ancestors leave Alabama and discover newness in Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana. She showed me the life of a little girl who became a woman amid segregation, racial slurs, and a lack of historical awareness. Janice’s discoveries showed her, on several occasions, that her history would become more than what she knew.

This interview was conducted immediately following Jeanne’s story about father. She ended her last interview laying out responsibilities for adults 50 and over as it pertains to sharing and preserving family/African American history. This episode gives us a brief description of Jeane’s mother.