Reflections of a Prodigal Daughter #859

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.

274 Comments

  1. This is really interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger.

    I’ve joined your feed and stay up for seeking extra of your
    fantastic post. Additionally, I have shared
    your web site in my social networks

  2. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else having identical RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks.

  3. Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you spending some 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 worth it!

  4. I was excited to discover this great site. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff on your site.

  5. When I initially left a comment I appear 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 4 emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  6. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it.

  7. When I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each 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? Kudos.

  8. I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to look at new stuff you post…

  9. When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks.

  10. After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  11. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  12. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good
    success. If you know of any please share. Many thanks! I
    saw similar text here: Eco blankets

  13. I seriously love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you develop this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own personal website and want to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Thanks.

  14. The pilot, who was unqualified to function a helicopter in foggy weather situations, failed to gain sufficient altitude to fly the aircraft over a close by ski hill, the place it crashed shortly after takeoff.

  15. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that you need to write more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t speak about such subjects. To the next! Cheers.

  16. This is the perfect website for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic which has been written about for a long time. Excellent stuff, just great.

  17. This is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!

  18. Excellent blog you have here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  19. Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the advice!

  20. I was very pleased to uncover this site. I need to to thank you for your time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and i also have you book-marked to check out new stuff on your blog.

  21. Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  22. I’m pretty pleased to discover this web site. I want to to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new things on your site.

  23. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what they are talking about on the web. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you are not more popular given that you surely have the gift.

  24. I was pretty pleased to discover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new stuff in your website.

  25. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  26. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently.

  27. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always useful to read through articles from other writers and use something from their websites.

  28. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I am hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now 😉

  29. Hi, I do think this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  30. I’m very pleased to find this website. I need to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to see new things on your web site.

  31. Howdy! I just would like to give you a big thumbs up for the great information you have got here on this post. I will be coming back to your site for more soon.

  32. sugar defender ingredients
    Adding Sugar Defender to my everyday regimen was one of the best choices I’ve created
    my health and wellness. I’m careful regarding what I eat,
    however this supplement includes an added layer of assistance.
    I feel much more consistent throughout the day, and my food
    cravings have reduced substantially. It’s nice to have something so simple that makes such a big difference!

  33. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly.

  34. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who had been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact 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 the time to talk about this topic here on your web site.

  35. I’m very happy to uncover this page. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you book marked to see new things in your blog.

  36. 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 dinner simply because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your internet site.

  37. Howdy, I do think your website could be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic website!

  38. After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you.

  39. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It will always be interesting to read articles from other writers and use a little something from other websites.

  40. You have made some good points there. I checked on the net to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

  41. You are therefore cool! My partner and i do not assume I have learn anything like this prior to. So excellent to discover somebody with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. realy many thanks for beginning this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone using a bit of inspiration. beneficial project for delivering something a new comer to the internet!

  42. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!

  43. Howdy, There’s no doubt that your web site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful site!

  44. I discovered your blog website on google and verify a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the superb operate. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking ahead to studying more from you afterward!…

  45. With the need for men and women these days to remain lovely and youthful always, they have been asked to use the diverse Hgh products in the market right now. Human growth hormone products have been shown to be capable in lessening or avoiding the signs of aging from developing. But with the numerous products sold these days, it’s wise that you study Human growth hormone reviews to assist you determine which best suits your need.

  46. This is really appealing, You’re a rather effective article writer. I’ve registered with your feed plus look forward to viewing all of your superb write-ups. Plus, I’ve got shared your website inside our myspace.

  47. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  48. Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.

  49. I’m pretty pleased to find this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to look at new things in your web site.

  50. I seriously love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my very own site and want to find out where you got this from or what the theme is called. Many thanks!

  51. Aw, it was an extremely good post. In notion I must place in writing such as this moreover – spending time and actual effort to make a really good article… but so what can I say… I procrastinate alot and no means apparently go completed.

  52. Good day. Very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally…I’m glad to find so much helpful information right here within the article. Thank you for sharing…

  53. I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your information. 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 per week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  54. Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your site in internet explorer, would check this¡K IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a huge component of people will miss your excellent writing because of this problem. Prishtina Travel

  55. I blog frequently and I really appreciate your information. Your article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  56. What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid different customers like its aided me. Good job.

  57. I really love your website.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own site and want to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Thanks!

  58. Thanks for sharing your ideas with this blog. Likewise, a misconception regarding the financial institutions intentions while talking about foreclosure is that the financial institution will not getreceive my repayments. There is a certain amount of time in which the bank will require payments here and there. If you are as well deep inside the hole, they may commonly desire that you pay the actual payment in full. However, i am not saying that they will have any sort of repayments at all. When you and the loan company can have the ability to work anything out, your foreclosure process may stop. However, in case you continue to skip payments in the new plan, the foreclosed process can pick up exactly where it left off.

  59. After research a few of the blog posts in your website now, and I really like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will probably be checking again soon. Pls check out my web page as nicely and let me know what you think.

  60. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now 😉

  61. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  62. You’ve made some really good points there. I looked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.

  63. Can I just now say what relief to discover somebody who really knows what theyre speaking about on-line. You definitely have learned to bring a challenge to light and produce it critical. The diet need to check out this and can see this side on the story. I cant believe youre no more well-liked when you absolutely possess the gift.

  64. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t join it. Is there anyone else having the same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!

  65. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who has been doing a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your blog.

  66. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  67. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who has been doing a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this matter here on your web site.

  68. Hello there, I think your blog may be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, great blog.

  69. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own site now 😉

  70. Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it.

  71. Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  72. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  73. The Partnership Progress Spread is an insightful eight-card tarot unfold that can help you and your partner higher understand your relationship and determine areas the place you possibly can develop collectively.

  74. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly pleased I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  75. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  76. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am going through issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot join it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  77. This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read post!

  78. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I truly thought you would have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you could fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  79. This is the right webpage for everyone who wants to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a topic which has been written about for ages. Wonderful stuff, just great.

  80. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always useful to read content from other writers and use something from their websites.

  81. When I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks.

  82. You’re so cool! I do not suppose I’ve truly read anything like that before. So good to find another person with some unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with some originality.

  83. As a result of new car gross sales have been tender not too long ago, many sellers are providing these methods as no-price options to patrons, and many drivers like the ability to use the existing controls in the automotive to run the system, as effectively as the decreased risk of theft.

  84. The sander comes with a small mud collection bag, a hole punch for making quarter-sheets of sandpaper match its mud ports, a three-sheet “sandpaper assortment,” and a guide that is overkill for a system with nothing but an on/off switch.

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