Interviewing Legends, How Does One Do That?

Today was another one of those days that defies description. We cannot meet in the Community Center because the A/C would be too loud, so we move to the local community's library.  There we are greeted by the head librarian who shows us a conference room to the back of the building that will be remote and quiet.

Shoun sets up his recording equipment.  I discuss details and legalities with the interviewees, and then we are ready to begin.

How does one interview family? How does one interview legends? How does one interview people who both family and legends? That was my task for today. I just want to do well.

This is personal and uniquely so.  Some farmers I met briefly 25 or so years ago.  Some I have just met.  While the bonds of attachment form quickly when centered around things that matter, this interview is different.  Across the table sits a brother and a sister whom we have known for 14 years.  We have traveled the road together, celebrated with food, discussed things that matter deeply, and have learned to love each other despite our different backgrounds, races, and all manner of other things.

She asked me if I was part Black. I was taken aback. No one has ever asked me about that. She then said something about how much passion I bring to these issues.  My response was, "I think my soul is brown." We chuckled and moved on.

It was another memorable interview.  There are all memorable. This one was memorable.

We discussed family history, legacies, leadership in the community, and how a farm could educate them and their siblings.  We discussed how in different ways each of them was a national figure.

We could have lingered for hours.  The thing that brought us together was painful.  The USDA not once, not twice, but three times had agreements to settle the injustices done to their parents.  Not once, not twice, but three times, the USDA finagled their way out of the agreements.  This family has withstood enormous pressures to hold on to their land.  Insurmountable odds have been placed in their way, yet they still own the land.  They still live on the land.

They and their parents have spent well over 100,000 hours fighting for their cause.  They have spent untold amounts of their money in attempting to find justice for their parents who died prematurely in the cause.

As the evening shadows began to creep, we sat on their property, taking pictures, filming, and
conversing about things that matter. We flicked the mosquitoes off. We'll fight them later. They are growing older.  We are growing older. We'll not be here forever.

We wanted to linger. And then linger some more.  Again, the ground was sacred. We talked of dying and entombment and where.

Then it was time to go. We departed like friends with hugs and words of affection.

Yes, today I interviewed legends who are family. Family who are legends.

Moments not soon forgotten.