Some of you may have heard a little bit about the fascinating project, I have had the privilege to be part of, but I finally get to write a bit more about the Oral History Project with the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. Thanks to a matching grant from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, we created a series of Oral History Documentaries, shining a light on people who have left an indelible mark on Jersey City’s rich history.
Our director, Juan Diego Roque of ROQ Initiative, wove magic into our films, while our team (Chelsea, Mandy and I) conducted the research, organization, interviews and pieced together the narratives of the movies.
One of the most marvelous experiences of this project was the interview with Mrs. India N. Edwards. At the time of the interview, she was a remarkable 104 years old, and just last month, she celebrated her 105th birthday. Getting to know Mrs. India and her family was nothing short of a heartwarming journey. Her life experiences and her grace are a powerful reminder, that, despite of the turmoil and chaos in the world, hope, kindness and forgiveness remain our most potent allies.
The interview itself was much longer than the 15-minute video we produced, many more stories were told, but we wanted to ensure that we could reach a broader audience with the movie. Also …we all know, that unfortunately attention span is a little lower nowadays. But through those hours, spent with Mrs. India, I absorbed more about our city and its historic moments than I had in a decade of living here, especially about the African American history of this city.
One of the highlights was when we had the opportunity to screen the film at Jersey City’s City Hall. Mrs. India graced us with her presence and participated in a Question & Answer Session. She was rightfully honored by the city for her astounding achievements, so numerous that it was a challenge to encapsulate them all in a single city resolution.1
I have always loved hearing the stories of older individuals. We can glean priceless wisdom from these narratives. This project made me realize just how much I enjoy connecting with real people and unraveling their stories. It’s a passion I’d love to pursue further, not just in the realms of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. As for how… I’ll leave that to the serendipity of life for now. Realistically I may not have it all figured out by the time my sabbatical comes to a close at the end of the year, but that’s part of the adventure.
Moreover, this project has underscored the essence of my art. While my canvases are often filled with buildings, it’s the stories that I research and unearth that truly bring those structures to life. It’s always about the people. This realization has been a profound one during this year, and it’s a lesson I intend to carry with me into the future.
Thank you Mrs. India, Soni, India and MG for the precious hours we spent together. Thank you for trusting us and inviting us into your home and sharing your stories with us!
As to my readers, I hope you enjoyed the movie and the project! More to come :)
Nat
Jersey Times Article about the event and Oral History Project https://jcitytimes.com/film-profiles-jersey-citys-104-year-old-civil-rights-pioneer/
What a lovely lady! Thank you for sharing Mrs. India with us!🙏🦋