Timeline:
http://timeline.knightlab.com/#preview-embed
I chose to do my timeline on a gentleman named Fountain Hughes. He was born into slavery, both of his parents were slaves to Thomas Jefferson up unto his death. Mr. Hughes talked alot about his childhood, explaining how he would play games and be running around with the other children. But made it clear when it was time to work on the field or in the bar, no one messed around and got their work down. Which actually surprised me while listening because in the textbooks they normally only talk about the negatives, and typically say there was no time for fun and games. By the time the Civil War started Mr. Hughes was only thirteen years old (roughly seventeen years old when it ended). He does not recall much from the war itself besides his father dying in the war (he was sold to fight in the war) and the northern soldiers raiding the plantation. I am not too surprised he does not remember much about him actually working on the fields or the war itself. These were traumatic events in his life that he most likely repressed.
I think a major limitation about the oral histories is the time period in between. The interviews were conducted ninety to one hundred years later. Memories are fading, or completely forgotten in that time span. Details of the events they do remember may be hazy, or not make sent. Also, false memories are probably created from the countless stories people tell. Another possible limitation is sensitivity. The interviewers may struggle with asking questions about some topics, escpically with a topic such as slavery. Also stated in a previous reading, A Note on the Language of the Narratives, most interviewers were white. So the interviewees might have not felt comfortable with sharing due to the ugly racist past.
A positive to the oral histories is getting first hand stories. Hearing these individuals recall their life events makes it more real. Since slavery and the 1930s happened so long ago things get lost, emotions are forgotten, but these oral histories make you feel connected.
Sites:
“Interview with Fountain Hughes, Baltimore, Maryland, June 11, 1949.” The Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1950037_afs09990a/.
“A Note on the Language of the Narratives : Articles and Essays : Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936-1938 : Digital Collections : Library of Congress.” The Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/collections/slave-narratives-from-the-federal-writers-project-1936-to-1938/articles-and-essays/note-on-the-language-of-the-narratives/#note.
