Once Upon a Time

As most know, I love my job here at Northwest MS Community College. I am the technical services librarian, but in addition to cataloging I enjoy selecting material to add to our collection and teaching orientation classes. I am also active in the Reading Roundtable discussions we host once a month. Reading Roundtable is coordinated by our Director and is open to faculty, staff and folks in the community. I have led two discussions since I started in August 2005 and my third will take place on Monday, February 26th.

The book we will discuss is Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored by Clifton Taulbert. Taulbert was born and raised in Glen Allan, MS and his story brought back to my memory days of growing up in Montrose, AR. As I started the book, I was a bit apprehensive because I knew those times were difficult for African Americans and I really didn't want to get emotional and have to try to figure out a way to disguise those emotions during my discussion. To my surprise, the only emotions that came out during the reading were joy and delight. Sure, times were hard for Taulbert and other Blacks, but he chose not to dwell on that aspect. He chose to write about the strong role models in his life and why he and others of Glen Allan are successful in life. His Ma Ponk reminded me of my grandmother and instead of the picture of her during her last days as she struggled with dementia, I went back and thought about how she was a leader in her family, community and church. His Poppa reminded me of my grandfather who was loved by all and was one of the first Black business owners in Southeast AR.

I laughed out loud as I read about the yearly revival that had him and his friends sitting on the "mourning bench" as the preacher yelled and screamed at them to come to the Lord. I remember sitting on that front pew as Rev. Spencer preached to us and how my sister and I joined church not because we believed Jesus had died for our sins, but because we couldn't bear the thought of having to go through the same thing the following year.

So much in the book reminded me of life in AR and I began to wonder are we really better off today? We have so much, but yet our time is rushed. I remember when time wasn't even an issue, things just moved at their own pace. We seemed to know more about each other when we didn't have email and cell phones, somehow we stayed connected without any gadgets. I remember when kids used to play outside and we actually walked to reach our destinations. Sometimes I reminisce with friends about life when we were growing up. The baseball games, the bike races, hanging out at the "court." It amazes me when my kids say they are bored. I don't remember EVER being bored, there was always something to explore.

I'd forgotten just how grand life was then. Some of the reviews for this book says he is too "syrupy", but I beg to differ. I think he purposely chose to write a book that is uplifting and recalls the good time eventhough times were hard. This book emphasizes that strong bonds in family, faith and community can instill lessons that will last a lifetime.