The Black Dude Dies First
Whoever told the stories shaped the histories.44 total reviews
Comment from DonandVicki
A truly inspiring true story that I'm sure was the highlight of your childhood memories. Nicely constructed and the story flows very well.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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A truly inspiring true story that I'm sure was the highlight of your childhood memories. Nicely constructed and the story flows very well.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Yes, DonandVicki, I had several people compliment me on the structure of my story. People are really surprised by the twist at the end where my mother turned a sad situation around. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Hello, Sis Cat :)
I am a little confused, if this story is not fiction you must be Andre Wilson, but your profile picture says-Sis Cat.
I love your non-fiction story. I'm a big horror movie fan, and when I read the phrase, "black dude dies first" my mind went to all the movies that the African American actor dies first. Your story is very well told, I see how you are an oral storyteller. You brought your biographical story to life. Well done! I'm proud of you for breaking a stereotype. I like the last line where you say, "I knew that tonight this little black dude would not die."
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Hello, Sis Cat :)
I am a little confused, if this story is not fiction you must be Andre Wilson, but your profile picture says-Sis Cat.
I love your non-fiction story. I'm a big horror movie fan, and when I read the phrase, "black dude dies first" my mind went to all the movies that the African American actor dies first. Your story is very well told, I see how you are an oral storyteller. You brought your biographical story to life. Well done! I'm proud of you for breaking a stereotype. I like the last line where you say, "I knew that tonight this little black dude would not die."
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Yes, Gypsy Blue Rose, I am Andre Wilson, but my alter ego is Sis Cat--a feline African American folk heroine who uses cunning and smarts to get the ham, bacon, catfish, or rat. She is the female version of Brer Rabbit.
I was stunned to discover that my title "The Black Dude Dies First" is a common cliche seen in horror movies. There are dozens of videos on YouTube discussing and documenting this. I just added mine to the discussion. Here is my video of my performance last Saturday in Oakland: https://youtu.be/_cJAUCv57po
Enjoy, and thank you for the encouraging, six star review.
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Nice to meet you, Andre Wilson. I will check your youtube video. I am curious now LOL
Comment from Delahay
It does send an unfortunate message that the only black person in a play about the American Revolution is the one who dies first. It is important to tell the story of this patriot but there is more to the story and he was not the only black person to die in that war or all the others that followed. We are getting better at acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of minorities but it is still slow going. The male pilots who collaborated to deliberately erase the contribution of female pilots in WWII are just another example of rewriting history to suit those in charge.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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It does send an unfortunate message that the only black person in a play about the American Revolution is the one who dies first. It is important to tell the story of this patriot but there is more to the story and he was not the only black person to die in that war or all the others that followed. We are getting better at acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of minorities but it is still slow going. The male pilots who collaborated to deliberately erase the contribution of female pilots in WWII are just another example of rewriting history to suit those in charge.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Yes, Delahay, there is more to the story. Far from being a passive victim in the wrong place at the wrong time, Crispus Attucks led Bostonians in a protest against British occupation of the city. I wish I had been given the opportunity to portray that side of the story. In addition, I learned that blacks comprised 20%-25% of the American Army and that slave owner General George Washington sent letters to recruiters ordering them to recruit free blacks and slaves faster than the British could recruit them. Yes, "We are getting better at acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of minorities," but this is an ongoing effort. Thank you for your review.
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Yes it would have been a lot better if you could have told all of the story. It should also be included in the history of the U.S. and there should be no need for Black History Month. If we just told the whole story to start with, pointing out such individual accomplishments would be a normal part of our history classes. Maybe we will get to a point where our differences don't matter but it's not looking like it will happen any time soon.
Comment from c_lucas
The Europeans killed thousands of red man before the Boston Massacre. Based on American History, America was not the Land of the Brave. This is very well written.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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The Europeans killed thousands of red man before the Boston Massacre. Based on American History, America was not the Land of the Brave. This is very well written.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Yes, c_lucas, "The Europeans killed thousands of red man before the Boston Massacre." Thank you for your honesty and review.
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You're welcome, SC. Charlie
Comment from papa55mike
What a great piece of writing. The re-telling of an event that went on to change your life. Helping you know the true history. One of the best things I've read recently. I wish you the best luck in the contest. Have a great Sunday and God bless.
mike
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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What a great piece of writing. The re-telling of an event that went on to change your life. Helping you know the true history. One of the best things I've read recently. I wish you the best luck in the contest. Have a great Sunday and God bless.
mike
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Yes, given that I am now a storyteller who performs on stage, I am thrilled to tell the story of my first performances and the pivotal role my mother played in making it happen. Thank you for generous review, stars, and contest well wishes.
Comment from William Ross
I find this a very well written story no matter the story line, myself seen nothing wrong with the child playing the part of the first black man killed, someone had to play it. was a great turn around to show that black lives do matter. Great job and good luck. have a wonderful day.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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I find this a very well written story no matter the story line, myself seen nothing wrong with the child playing the part of the first black man killed, someone had to play it. was a great turn around to show that black lives do matter. Great job and good luck. have a wonderful day.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Yes, William, when I performed this story before audiences they are stunned by the turnaround they did not see coming. My mother is the hero of this story. I am glad I shared it with you. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Spiritual Echo
What an amazing, fascinating family welcomed you into the world. From what I have read about your mother in your book and here, I have become regretful that I didn't have a chance to meet such a marvelous woman of substance.
And you, Andre, not Andrew, do justice to these stories, showing a mind set and attitude laced with victory. You are part of something, hard to describe, but best I can put it is THE TEACHERS.
Kudos to the school and the principle as well. Being white, the whole scene of what was wrong with the role assigned to you would have needed to be explained to me as well. Sorry--truth. The great part if your mother explained it and something positive came forward as a result.
Great read.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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What an amazing, fascinating family welcomed you into the world. From what I have read about your mother in your book and here, I have become regretful that I didn't have a chance to meet such a marvelous woman of substance.
And you, Andre, not Andrew, do justice to these stories, showing a mind set and attitude laced with victory. You are part of something, hard to describe, but best I can put it is THE TEACHERS.
Kudos to the school and the principle as well. Being white, the whole scene of what was wrong with the role assigned to you would have needed to be explained to me as well. Sorry--truth. The great part if your mother explained it and something positive came forward as a result.
Great read.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Yes, Ingrid, I am amazed that my mother was "such a marvelous woman of substance." A couple of people questioned whether or not it was possible fora woman to put on three shows at a school, but then I took a look at her resume and discovered that she was doing workshops, poetry, and storytelling throughout the school district. After she saw my one-minute performance as Crispus Attucks, she decided to focus her talents on my school. So, yes, I wish you could have met her, too.
Thank you for your generous, six star review and for your compliments to me as a person and writer and to my mother as "woman of substance."
Comment from Sarah_Goldwell
I loved this piece of non-fiction. It was well written, well edited and easy to follow.
[I felt that my ancestors . . . my heroes embraced me, too. ] - this was such a lovely expression, deep and meaningful. I felt a bit like that recently after discovering one of my ancestors broke free from slavery, returned a few years later and paid to free 15 family members
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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I loved this piece of non-fiction. It was well written, well edited and easy to follow.
[I felt that my ancestors . . . my heroes embraced me, too. ] - this was such a lovely expression, deep and meaningful. I felt a bit like that recently after discovering one of my ancestors broke free from slavery, returned a few years later and paid to free 15 family members
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Wow, Sarah, what an amazing story you have. I feel that my ancestors are with me in my journey to tell their stories. I was fortunate that my brother made a recording of my grandma telling slavery stories passed down for 150 years. Thank you for your review and for sharing your story.
Comment from F. Wehr3
This is great story. I really enjoyed it. Growing up in the south, I had to come to terms with the slant of how history is told. Inequalities still exist more so than I would have thought possible. Thanks for sharing a time when the black guy didn't die. And yes, black lives do matter.
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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This is great story. I really enjoyed it. Growing up in the south, I had to come to terms with the slant of how history is told. Inequalities still exist more so than I would have thought possible. Thanks for sharing a time when the black guy didn't die. And yes, black lives do matter.
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Thank you, Russell, for your generous review and comments. I am glad my mother helped me have a happy ending with this story. She was very concerned "with the slant of how history is told." Thanks again.
Comment from Treischel
What a fascinating story that is all the more poignant because it is personal and intimate history. You provide a perspective that many don't think about. So, it's good your mom was persistent in telling the story from the black person's viewpoint, and revealing black contribution to history. Very well told.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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What a fascinating story that is all the more poignant because it is personal and intimate history. You provide a perspective that many don't think about. So, it's good your mom was persistent in telling the story from the black person's viewpoint, and revealing black contribution to history. Very well told.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Yes, Treischel, my mother "was persistent in telling the story from the black person's viewpoint, and revealing black contribution to history." I wish she had included this show on her resume, because it had an impact on me. Thank you for your review of my well-told story.