Boxcar: Part 2
Based on oral histories.36 total reviews
Comment from William Ross
A wonderful written story passed down through the family sad the way blacks were treated back in the day, thank God not all whites were or are the same. some seen how bad things really were.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2016
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A wonderful written story passed down through the family sad the way blacks were treated back in the day, thank God not all whites were or are the same. some seen how bad things really were.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2016
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Yes, William, the Freemasons were one of the bright spots of this dark story. They stood up and defended my ancestors at a time it was not popular to do so and it could get you killed. Although I do not know their names and faces, I am deeply grateful for the Masons. Thank you for your review.
Comment from MTF1955
Thanks again for the compeling completion of your boxcar story. Wonderfully written. You painted an extraordinary picture with your words. Mary
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thanks again for the compeling completion of your boxcar story. Wonderfully written. You painted an extraordinary picture with your words. Mary
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thank you, Mary, for your review of my story "Boxcar." I am still conducting research to find out more about the story. Thanks.
Comment from F. Wehr3
I think you did a real good job with this... I don't want to call it a story. Maybe piece of history? The one thing going on in the back of my mind was 'those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' Keep telling your story!
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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I think you did a real good job with this... I don't want to call it a story. Maybe piece of history? The one thing going on in the back of my mind was 'those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' Keep telling your story!
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Yes, Russell, 'those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' I am thrilled that my grandmother and father told me this history and did not shield me from the dark chapters of American history. I was searching my diaries for entries on their stories when I found another lynching story that my mother told me.
Yes, I will keep telling our stories. Thank you for your generous, six star review and encouragement.
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
You have recounted scenes from a very dark and disgusting period of American History, and have done so from the memories of your family members who lived through it. It is sad and it is hurtful, and I hope things have changed from then. In most ways, I think they have, but in others, you have to wonder.
Rhonda
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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You have recounted scenes from a very dark and disgusting period of American History, and have done so from the memories of your family members who lived through it. It is sad and it is hurtful, and I hope things have changed from then. In most ways, I think they have, but in others, you have to wonder.
Rhonda
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thank you, Rhonda, for your heartfelt review. I, too, am amazed about the "very dark and disgusting period of American History" that my family endured. I am grateful that they passed these stories down to me and that I have written them. Thanks again.
Comment from Serendipity!
"I remember the story you told me (You could skip using the word story so soon again by saying 'I remember you telling me'
I am just wondering, is sharing your story helping people to be more broad minded and sympathetic to the blacks? Do you think racism is diminishing?
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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"I remember the story you told me (You could skip using the word story so soon again by saying 'I remember you telling me'
I am just wondering, is sharing your story helping people to be more broad minded and sympathetic to the blacks? Do you think racism is diminishing?
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thank you, Serendipity!, for your review. I would answer that my story is having an impact on people. Many people told me that my story helped them realize the travails that African Americans endured. My story also puts a human face on the victims and perpetrators of racism. Like Mama Jennie, I think we have a long way to go. Thank you for your review and for the line suggestion.
Comment from Spiritual Echo
Your personal family history, from the ancestors who paid with their lives because of the colour of their skin to the more current stories about your mother and father are filled with stories and memories of fighting for the right to exist. Ive come to the conclusion that no white person can understand the effects that has lasted centuries.
You write this story incredible well, bring me into the terror, but I just can't imagine having these atrocities sitting in the core of my being.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Your personal family history, from the ancestors who paid with their lives because of the colour of their skin to the more current stories about your mother and father are filled with stories and memories of fighting for the right to exist. Ive come to the conclusion that no white person can understand the effects that has lasted centuries.
You write this story incredible well, bring me into the terror, but I just can't imagine having these atrocities sitting in the core of my being.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Yes, Ingrid, I am astonished at the scope of my story. Even while two individuals experienced segregation at a migrant worker camp in the 1940's, they discuss the discrimination in the far and near past. I am glad I have so many diaries, articles, film footage, and letters about my family. I will mine that material for a long time. Thank you for your encouraging review.
Comment from Treischel
This entire story is presented with consummate writing skill as it outlines the realities of black history, as after the Civil War millions of slaves were dumped into society, and both sides adjusted to an overwhelming change. Very well told. I recently a program about the Nuremberg Nazi trials. Herman Goring was heading their defense. He mentions the USA genocide on the Native America (Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee, slaughter of the buffalo), and the treatment of Black slaves during slavery, and after the Civil War. He stated that this behavior is the course of normal human behavior since the beginning of time, and even endorced by God as you read the Old Testament about the Jews conquering the Promised Land after their exodus from slavery in Egypt. That defense did not dissuade his death sentence. Food for thought, as your story raises that very thought. The United States has much to be ashame of. Thank God for those Free Masons, and any Whites who ran the Underground Railroad. Your history has much to be proud of, although the nightmares are perfecty understandable.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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This entire story is presented with consummate writing skill as it outlines the realities of black history, as after the Civil War millions of slaves were dumped into society, and both sides adjusted to an overwhelming change. Very well told. I recently a program about the Nuremberg Nazi trials. Herman Goring was heading their defense. He mentions the USA genocide on the Native America (Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee, slaughter of the buffalo), and the treatment of Black slaves during slavery, and after the Civil War. He stated that this behavior is the course of normal human behavior since the beginning of time, and even endorced by God as you read the Old Testament about the Jews conquering the Promised Land after their exodus from slavery in Egypt. That defense did not dissuade his death sentence. Food for thought, as your story raises that very thought. The United States has much to be ashame of. Thank God for those Free Masons, and any Whites who ran the Underground Railroad. Your history has much to be proud of, although the nightmares are perfecty understandable.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Yes, Treischel, "Thank God for those Free Masons." Three of the written accounts I have highlighted their contributions to helping my ancestors. I wish I knew then Masons' names so that I could acknowledge them with gratitude. It is very scary to realize that the Nazis used America's treatment of Native and African Americans to justify its own treatment of Jews.
Thank you for your generous, six star review and compliment on my "consummate writing skill."
Comment from jpduck
And now the wondrous truth is that Barrack Obama is president. And yet, how much difference does that make? The wretched Republicans seem to have done a most efficient job of gagging him and tying him up. And what's next? Quite possibly the election of a foul-mouthed, brain-dead moron who will be the end of us all.
Typos. (* * indicates suggested insertions):
"They beat her and said, 'Where's the body?' (Insert a blank line after this to mark the new paragraph).
'How can things repeat themselves and *?not* change?'
Adrian
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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And now the wondrous truth is that Barrack Obama is president. And yet, how much difference does that make? The wretched Republicans seem to have done a most efficient job of gagging him and tying him up. And what's next? Quite possibly the election of a foul-mouthed, brain-dead moron who will be the end of us all.
Typos. (* * indicates suggested insertions):
"They beat her and said, 'Where's the body?' (Insert a blank line after this to mark the new paragraph).
'How can things repeat themselves and *?not* change?'
Adrian
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thank you, Adrian, for your review and corrections. I attended Obama's inauguration and knew on the Mall before the Capitol that the Republicans will blunt his presidency. There was a feeling of hope tempered by doom. I was right. He did the best he could with the opposition, but if Trump gets elected, this country will go back one hundred years.
Thank you for your review.
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Cat. OMG. We have heard of sall these things, but for me at least, I am always shocked to my shoes by the images: "Two thousand people and the National Guard cheered as the man struggled and screamed when the flames reached him. He burned alive and the school collapsed in a pile of embers."
"Man's inhumanity to man."
This part is well told and actually more stressful to read than the first part.
Great images again: "The campfire crackled. Mama Jennie threw a branch on it. Sparks flew in the air. Julia stirred and returned to sleep. Freddie inhaled wood smoke and exhaled."
And: "He looked at his wrists and saw that ropes had tied them to the boxcar. How? Ropes had tied his ankles, too. He tugged at the ropes but could not move. He heaved. His breath chugged like a steam engine."
As I said before...were I you, I would have started when you were a baby and wrote this as fiction based on true events just as I am. Memoirs don't sell very well unless you are a celebrity. This has potentila for a wonderfully, sad, but reflective story. Make up what you don't remember and fill it in with the truths you remember. (Just suggesting, Cat. great job. Bob
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Hi, Cat. OMG. We have heard of sall these things, but for me at least, I am always shocked to my shoes by the images: "Two thousand people and the National Guard cheered as the man struggled and screamed when the flames reached him. He burned alive and the school collapsed in a pile of embers."
"Man's inhumanity to man."
This part is well told and actually more stressful to read than the first part.
Great images again: "The campfire crackled. Mama Jennie threw a branch on it. Sparks flew in the air. Julia stirred and returned to sleep. Freddie inhaled wood smoke and exhaled."
And: "He looked at his wrists and saw that ropes had tied them to the boxcar. How? Ropes had tied his ankles, too. He tugged at the ropes but could not move. He heaved. His breath chugged like a steam engine."
As I said before...were I you, I would have started when you were a baby and wrote this as fiction based on true events just as I am. Memoirs don't sell very well unless you are a celebrity. This has potentila for a wonderfully, sad, but reflective story. Make up what you don't remember and fill it in with the truths you remember. (Just suggesting, Cat. great job. Bob
Comment Written 18-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thank you, Bob, for your generous, thoughtful review. Yes, "This part is well told and actually more stressful to read than the first part." The imagery are shocking. I will take the fiction angle under consideration. I had diaries and other written accounts at my disposal but I had to use my imagination to fill in the blanks. Thank you for your review and encouragement.
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Good job, my friend. Bob
Comment from DonandVicki
I just have finished reviewing both parts of your true story and have enjoyed both parts very much. Your writing is very powerful, well done.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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I just have finished reviewing both parts of your true story and have enjoyed both parts very much. Your writing is very powerful, well done.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2016
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Thank you, DonandVicki, for reading both parts of my story and complimenting my "powerful" writing.