As I was reading this article I found my self astonished at not only the experiences of these “young men” but also at the critically important role that literacy played and is still playing in their lives. I have heard of the civil wars in Africa and often felt a sense of pain for the people who are enduring extreme hardships because of ethnicity and religion. This year I was able to visit an exhibit at the Hickory Science and Arts Center about refugees. There I was able to see first hand the conditions of these refugee camps, the types of shelters they had to live in, what their schools looked like, and the other daily hardships that they faced. After the exhibit I felt that I had a much better understanding of what a refugee camp was and what it meant to be a refugee. I also thought that I had a good concept of oral story telling and the importance of it in the African culture. My mother was a middle school English and Social Studies teacher who taught about Africa and Asia. I remember her telling me about their story telling and seeing her make these elaborate art projects that illustrated the importance of oral story telling in the African culture.
It was not until I read this article though that I made any connection between oral story telling, literacy, and refugees. I think that I made the connection in three different ways. One being the importance of oral story telling, the second being how important it was to be able to read while in the refugee camp, and third how being literate has allowed these “lost boys” to tell their story and possibly change the future.
While I was reading the article I was astounded to think about these “young boys and children” being put into a position of being the carriers of their tribes history. When Ezra said on page 334 (Perry), “In the Dinka that is very important, because remember we-up to today, until maybe the 1900’s there were no people in the Dinkaland who go to school, because school at the time was not there.” He then said, (p. 334 Perry) “To keep the history of the community and the culture and the customs, you pass them from one generation to another through storytelling.” I began to think about how my family has always told stories and I can remember my grandparents telling me stories about my great or great-great grandparents, but I can’t imagine being put into a position of having to tell my “tribes” entire history to generations to come, because I am one of the few remaining members. What a huge responsibility that is for these children.
I also had never made the connection between literacy and how crucial they were to the refugee camps. When Chol was discussing going to the board in the literacy camp to see if there were any letters or messages from friends or family I began to realize how important that was to those refugees. I also began to wonder what it was like for people there who might have been illiterate and how difficult it must have been to have to rely completely on someone else for any contact with the outside world.
The other connection I made was how important literacy is to these young men because through literacy, whether it be public speaking, story telling, or written expression, they have the ability to tell their stories of unspeakable injustice and to allow people to see the oppression through their eyes. These boys truly have the ability to influence law makers, government officials, and other powerful individuals and groups simply by telling their story. I can’t imagine how empowering it would feel to know that because I was literate I could some day possibly change the world. I don’t know if these boys realize it yet, but I think they are very well on their way.
Katie Templeton
Comments (4)
Katie, I also had the opportunity to tour the refugee exhibit at the Hickory Science Center. While I knew that life for the refugees was harsh, I was glad that my students were able to see first hand the photos, ration books, bathrooms, and tent cities of refugees. The one experience that touched me the most was the medical check-up center. The "nurse" picked the smallest, skinniest, 8th grader on the trip to measure her upper arm. She was no where near the cautionary mark for measuring the risk of starvation of a refugee. How emaciated they must be!
Posted by Karen Chester | June 17, 2010 12:22 AM
Posted on June 17, 2010 00:22
As I read this article, I was trying to reconcile the idea of oral storytelling with today’s culture. While storytelling was the primary medium to convey history, culture, and even language at one point, I am not sure of its place in culture today. Whereas the oral history of a nation may take years to learn, not to mention, a lifetime to build the memory capacity to hold such a large amount of information, the internet and other technologies have allowed us access to and the ability to store vast amount of information at the touch of a button. I cannot even tell you my family’s phone numbers because I rely on the data storage of my phone. This article has made me wonder if oral storytelling has a place in our society today outside of the arts. There are obvious advantages to recording in written form the history and culture of a people. Written language allows for revisions, is less likely to be lost by death or displacement, and with today’s technology allows access to a wider audience. What I do think our society would benefit from, is the transference of ideas, history, and wisdom from older generations to younger ones. The idea of passing on knowledge is one our students would benefit from and we should return to, whatever the medium.
-Rebecca Ashby
Posted by Rebecca Ashby | June 17, 2010 8:15 AM
Posted on June 17, 2010 08:15
At the time I didn't know why we were being drug all the way to Hickory for a staff meeting. Then after being there and seeing the set up and the things of a refugee camp, it started to sink in. I have it so much better than this, and yet I complain about too many things. I read this and thought wow, what a life they have lived. I would be honored to shake one of their hands and tell them how incredible and amazing they are to have accomplished so much. I give them so much compassion for what they have gone through and where they are today. It's unreal the things they did to survive, to read, and to continue to make a difference today. These men strived to become literate and have become role models for future students. Look, these men can do it, so can you is what I would tell my students. I think all students should be exposed to this, for we have no idea this goes on in the world.
Posted by Abby Boughton | June 17, 2010 8:19 PM
Posted on June 17, 2010 20:19
Through the stories of three young me our eyes were wide opened to the experiences of Sudanese Refugees. One young man was able to feel personal relief, through sharing of autobiographical information; the other two were able to gain political recognition for their experiences. Bravo to them for wanting to share their stories to work for change to help others!
What stories we could probably share…I know that I being a newer teacher to this profession seek out those stories from other “seasoned” teachers. To learn from others is a great compliment to those teacher and great firsthand knowledge to the one getting to hear the story. Let us become our own story tellers to make the teaching profession even more notable! How empowering it would be for students to notice us as teachers “practicing what we preach”!!!
Posted by Angela Steele | June 18, 2010 10:45 AM
Posted on June 18, 2010 10:45