Download
[Page]
[Document]mcc-ns1-015
Farming For A Better Future, page xiii
non-presumptiveness. The term “African American” is also a currently acceptable term, however, it can be seen to have limitations for those who claim more than African ancestry. Throughout this atlas, the terms “people of color” and "African American" are used interchangeably. In some instances, such as the families that once lived on Redstone Arsenal or prominent families of Morgan County, “people of color” is the most accurate. The descendants of families from Redstone who participated in an oral history interview expressed their personal sentiment toward the identity of person of color. This identity allows for the inclusion of all ancestors who were white, African American, and Native American. Discussions of communities in Madison and Morgan counties deliberately use the term “people of color” and when it is used elsewhere, there is usually an indication of mixed-race ancestry.
Terms used in historical documents to refer to people of mixed ancestry include, “mulatto,” “yellow,” and “bright.” These last two terms may
not relate to how we think of them today. “Yellow” and “bright” are in reference to the light color of a person's skin, i.e. “a bright negro” is a term often used to late 19th century obituaries referring to their skin, not their intelligence, and a “yellow complexion” is a light-skinned African American, not a person of Asian descent.
Historically, other terms such as “black,” “negro,” and “colored” have been used to refer to people of color with African ancestry. While the term “black” may still be culturally acceptable, it can be used in an offensive manner. In this research, it is occasionally used as an adjective to describe a noun, but never as a stand-alone term for people; e.g. “a black neighborhood”, but not “blacks.” The terms “negro” and “colored” were once official terms used on the census and other official documents as well as colloquially in newspapers or in the names of places. In this research they have been limited to quotations or discussions about segregation and discrimination. Terms used to describe people are
a reflection of our current culture. The choices in terminology made for this atlas are intended to convey the utmost respect for those individuals and communities discussed within.
THANK YOU
While conducting this research, many helpful and fascinating people stepped forward to generously share their knowledge and personal histories. A special thank you to Lee Freeman, librarian at the Florence Public Library; Brian Murphy, chairman on the board of Project Say Something; and Dr. Thomas Reidy of the University of Alabama-Huntsville for providing much needed information. Also, appreciation is extended to the archivists of North Alabama: John Allison of the Morgan County Archives, Wendy
Hazel of the Lawrence County Archives, Rebekah Davis of Limestone County Archives, and Shalis Worthy of the Madison County Archives. Likewise, Maureen Hill, Archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration in Atlanta. Last, but not least, a huge thank you to those who spontaneously volunteered to shared your intimate knowledge and provide oral history interviews. Dr. Wylheme H. Ragland is a fountain of knowledge concerning prominent families and remarkable individuals in North Alabama. Ms. Peggy Allen Towns was gracious enough to enlighten everyone about her research into the Scottsboro Boys Trial and Morgan County. Ms. Pearl Jackson Green kindly took the time to sit down and share some of her life's stories. Also, Col. James L. Walker for patiently going over the history of African American education and communities in Limestone County, as well as his own family history.
Thanks and gratitude go to the descendants of the communities of Pond Beat and Mullins Flat, formerly on Redstone Arsenal. In July 2018, a reunion was held in Huntsville and Harvest, Alabama organized by Ms. Deborah Horton Jordan, among many others. New South Associates was invited to attend the reception at the Davidson Center at the Marshall Flight Center and the picnic in Harvest where interested individuals and families were encouraged to tell their family histories and share photographs and documents. Thank you to those who shared their personal history including Ms. Maureen Davis Cathey, Dr. Victoria L. Joiner, Ms. Deborah Horton Jordan, Mr. John Jordan, Mr. Thomas Lyle, and Ms. Elaine Watkins Patton. And a special thank you to Ms. Deborah for inviting everyone to her home for the picnic and again for the group interview.
Overall, we are very grateful to the many independent and local researchers whose work has contributed to this combined volume in an effort to help future researchers to continue to explore the rich history of African American heritage in North Alabama. Also, to those who participated in oral history interviews, either formally or informally. Information and quotes from interviews were used to drive the research.
xiii - FARMING FOR A BETTER FUTURE - (4517)