Hear for Yourself

Depictions of African Americans within the Federal One projects varied greatly based on the different projects, regions, and directors. 

One project that allowed African Americans to control the depictions of themselves. The Slave Narrative endeavor within the Federal Writers' Project interviewed formerly enslaved people, and allowed them to tell their own stories. 

In some instances, individuals who used to be enslaved were relunctant to share their stories, or felt that they had nothing to share. 

However, others, such as Harriet Smith, remembered the culture that had developed among enslaved people, and the songs they sang. These aspects of culture and these depictions could be overlooked by an individual who was not a part of that experience. However, by allowing enslaved people to tell their own stories in their own words, they are able to create more accurate depictions. 

This also applies to the reality of the situation, as former enslaved people are able to put names and familial connections to those who had since passed away.

Works Cited

Faulk, John Henry, and Harriet Smith. Interview with Aunt Harriet Smith, Hempstead, Texas,part 1 of 4. Hempstead, Texas, 1941. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1941016_afs05499a/.

Lomax, John A, Ruby T Lomax, Joe McDonald, and Unidentified Female Interviewee. Interview with Joe McDonald, Livingston, Alabama,part 2 of 2. Livingston, Alabama, 1940. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1940003_afs04034a/.