Category Archives: Uncategorized
Great article about women farmers and Farmlink.org, sort of like facebook for farmers.
Organic Gardening magazine has a regular facebook feed, and last week they posted this article from Rodale.com about women farmers. The article claims the growing trend of women in agriculture is a movement that could save the future of farming … Continue reading
Documenting Decoration Days
Beginning with the first weekend in May cemeteries throughout the Yell County area will hold their yearly decoration day, a time for families to decorate and clean their relatives’ graves. Decoration days continue throughout the month. I grew up watching … Continue reading
Great News, Technical difficulties, Center’s First Donation, and Crazy Days.
As you can see, something is wrong with the graphics on the site. Not sure what happened, but I hope to have them up and running again soon. I also plan on giving the updated information on the McElroy House … Continue reading
Decoration Days and Mother’s Day—beginning research
In the next few weeks, people all around the Yell County, Arkansas area will be decorating family graves. For our family Saturday the 9th is Decoration Day at Brearley, Cottontown, and Chickelah Cemeteries. The following week is Decoration Day at … Continue reading
Folklorist, Activist Archie Green Dies. (contains links to recent articles)
Archie Green was a public folklorist unafraid to combine folklore and activism. He was instrumental in lobbying congress to pass the 1976 Folklife Preservation Act, which created the Folklife Center at the Library of Congress wherein countless stories and songs … Continue reading
Myles Horton’s Definition of Participatory Research
Myles Horton is one of my biggest heroes. The founder of the Highlander Folk School, now called the Highlander Research and Education Center, Myles Horton believed in people’s power to change their lives and communities for the better. A true … Continue reading
Human Rights Watch Issues Statement Urging Israel to Allow Journalists in Gaza.
Although certainly not all folklorists would argue this is an issue that pertains to our work, I feel denying access to journalists and human rights workers is a human rights violation that pertains to the larger study of folklife on … Continue reading
Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon honors Odetta
A recent story on Democracy Now! features Bernice Johnson Reagon, SNCC Freedom Singer member and founder of the group Sweet Honey in the Rock, discussing Odetta and her impact on the Civil Rights Movement and folk, blues and and roots … Continue reading
Online Petition Asks Obama to Create Secretary of Arts Position
I found out about this online petition, authored by Quincy Jones, on the Public Folklore Listserve. More information can be found at the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Government and Policy Watch section of their webpage here.
My Wonderful Mother: Whose Memory Do You Carry?
I am curious, whose memory do you carry in your life? Whose life and attributes do you think about when you contemplate the folklorist, activist, cultural worker type person you want to be? Let me explain why I am so … Continue reading