Reflections of a Prodigal Daughter #385

January 13, 2024
2 mins read

Reflections of a Prodigal Daughter

By Lisa B. Thompson | @DrLisaBThompson | with thanks to NewBlackMan (in Exile)

Monday, September 10, 2018.

My new play Monroe is dedicated to my maternal great uncle, Aubrey C. Holmes, the gentlest man that I have ever known. He grew up the son of a preacher in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, the site of the fifth highest number of lynchings in the US from 1877 to 1950. It breaks my heart to know that my maternal relatives came of age in a city steeped in violence against men and women who looked like them. Just like my grandmother, mother, and father, my Uncle Aubrey moved to the San Francisco Bay Area during the Great Migration. I still wonder how he remained so kind and caring despite coming from a place mired in such horror.

Growing up in California in the 1970s did not shelter me from racial violence. When I was a child, I discovered my father’s copy of Ralph Ginzberg’s 100 Years of Lynchings. I felt both aghast and fascinated by the numerous accounts of those killed “at the hands of persons unknown.” I also recall overhearing stories about “trouble” back home during Sunday morning breakfasts of grits, eggs, bacon, biscuits and fresh squeezed orange juice while the San Francisco fog rolled in.

As a new professor, I poured over the lynching photos in James Allen’s Without Sanctuary but my mind did not linger on the vicious white mobs that brutalized black people. Instead, I imagined the family and friends of the victims who were also terrorized by these heinous crimes. How did they survive, love and dream in the aftermath of such agony?

I find it remarkable that my parents and I never spoke directly about lynching. I just stored what I overheard, read, and saw deep inside me. Those images are intertwined with my curiosity about my family choosing California as their destination when they fled the south for a better life. I’m the cousin, niece, grandchild, and daughter of those who abandoned the south for the west coast. Now, as part of what is considered the reverse Great Migration, I’m raising my son in the south. I wonder what stories he’s storing inside his soul as a black boy growing up in Texas and what he will eventually do with them?

During rehearsal, I carried a list of all the lynching victims in Monroe with me. I needed their names near. I pray that this play honors their lives and their memory. I hope thatMonroe inspires us to more bravely encounter what Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison describes as “unspeakable things unspoken.” Here’s to speaking the unspeakable, listening to history, and imagining a better future.

***

Lisa B. Thompson is a playwright and a professor of African & African Diaspora Studies at UT Austin. She is the author of Beyond the Black Lady: Sexuality and the African American Middle Class and the playsSingle Black Female, Underground, and The Mamalogues. The world premiere of her new play Monroe runs September 7-30, 2018 at the Austin Playhouse.

176 Comments

  1. hey there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up something new
    from right here. I did however expertise several technical points
    using this site, as I experienced to reload the site a lot of times
    previous to I could get it to load correctly.

    I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality
    score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS
    to my email and can look out for much more of your respective intriguing content.
    Make sure you update this again soon.. Escape room

  2. I was pretty pleased to find this site. I need to to thank you for ones time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely really liked every bit of it and I have you book-marked to look at new stuff on your blog.

  3. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  4. When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos.

  5. I truly love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own blog and want to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Appreciate it.

  6. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to publish more about this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but typically folks don’t speak about these topics. To the next! Many thanks!

  7. After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service? Kudos.

  8. After looking into a few of the blog posts on your web page, I seriously appreciate your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website as well and tell me what you think.

  9. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something relating to this.

  10. When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.

  11. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should write more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t talk about such subjects. To the next! Many thanks.

  12. I’m extremely pleased to find this site. I need to to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely savored every bit of it and I have you book marked to see new stuff on your site.

  13. Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I am going to send this information to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  14. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
    I’m trying to get my site to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Cheers! You
    can read similar text here: Warm blankets

  15. After checking out a handful of the blog posts on your blog, I truly appreciate your way of writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and tell me how you feel.

  16. After I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  17. Howdy! This blog post could not be written any better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I am going to send this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  18. When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service? Kudos.

  19. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more on this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t talk about such topics. To the next! All the best.

  20. You are so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve truly read through anything like this before. So good to find someone with original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  21. May I just say what a comfort to discover somebody that genuinely knows what they’re talking about online. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people should look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular since you surely have the gift.

  22. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I found this in my hunt for something concerning this.

  23. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often.

  24. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always helpful to read content from other writers and use a little something from other web sites.

  25. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I actually believed you’d have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  26. I was excited to find this website. I want to to thank you for ones time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new things in your blog.

  27. Greetings, I do think your blog might be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful site.

  28. Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  29. After going over a handful of the articles on your site, I seriously appreciate your technique of blogging. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website too and tell me what you think.

  30. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me just as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I actually thought you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.

  31. Right here is the perfect website for everyone who really wants to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just great.

  32. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this matter here on your web page.

  33. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who was doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your web page.

  34. Hi there! This article couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I will forward this information to him. Fairly certain he will have a very good read. Thanks for sharing!

  35. After looking into a few of the blog posts on your website, I really like your technique of blogging. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site too and tell me what you think.

  36. You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through something like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  37. Good day! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for your great info you have here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon.

  38. Right here is the right blog for everyone who wants to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that’s been written about for a long time. Great stuff, just great.

  39. Hi, I do believe your website could be having internet browser compatibility problems. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful site.

  40. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast due to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this topic here on your web site.

  41. Hello there! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this post. I am returning to your blog for more soon.

  42. Can I just say what a relief to uncover somebody that genuinely understands what they are discussing on the web. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people must check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.

  43. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this issue here on your site.

  44. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx.

  45. I blog quite often and I really appreciate your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.

  46. You’re so cool! I don’t suppose I’ve read through anything like that before. So great to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  47. Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  48. Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  49. I was more than happy to discover this web site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and I have you book-marked to see new stuff on your site.

  50. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who was conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.

  51. The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, however I truly thought you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

  52. Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover somebody who really understands what they’re discussing on the web. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular given that you certainly possess the gift.

  53. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, however I truly believed you would have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  54. The next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t fail me just as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read through, however I truly thought you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  55. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing problems with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!

  56. This is the right web site for anyone who would like to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for ages. Excellent stuff, just excellent.

  57. You’re so cool! I do not believe I have read something like this before. So good to discover somebody with original thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  58. Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

  59. I’m very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to look at new information on your blog.

  60. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t fail me as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, but I genuinely believed you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  61. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having identical RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks.

  62. Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  63. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day. It’s always interesting to read through articles from other writers and practice a little something from other web sites.

  64. I absolutely love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own site and would love to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Many thanks.

  65. After going over a handful of the articles on your blog, I seriously like your way of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and let me know your opinion.

  66. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  67. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  68. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable to join it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  69. May I simply say what a relief to find somebody who truly knows what they are talking about on the web. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular because you definitely possess the gift.

  70. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, but I really believed you would probably have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  71. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t fail me as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I really believed you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

  72. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly delighted I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently.

  73. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anybody having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx.

  74. After looking at a handful of the blog posts on your web site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site too and let me know how you feel.

  75. Can I simply say what a relief to discover someone who truly knows what they’re discussing on the net. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you are not more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.

  76. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint me just as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I truly believed you’d have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.

  77. Can I just say what a comfort to find somebody who genuinely understands what they are discussing on the net. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people must read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you surely possess the gift.

  78. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own site now 😉

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

Nigerian-British Playwright tackles Immigration, Deportations and the Windrush Scandal, in Ilé La W

Next Story

“It don’t change nothin’”: The Return of Queen Sugar

Latest from Blog

A virgin’s quest

A Short Story by Bunmi Fatoye-Matory Friday, June 28, 2024.   Somewhere in Rọ́lákẹ́’s childhood, she learned about Mercedes Benz, but not