I really, really wanted to write this post but I’m so moved that I’ve been staring at a blank page for an hour.
I dropped in on Dalyce’s book store today and, being my friend, she handed me a book she saved for me.
I didn’t even question her choice for me, she knows what I love, I had a good mooch, found more books, we had a little chat and off I went.
This evening I opened the book and it’s then when I realised what a treasure Dalyce gave me.
I’m absolutely humbled and speechless.
I feel like I don’t deserve to own this book. Like I haven’t done enough in this world to warrant a book like this belonging to me.
It is extraordinary and has completely taken my breath away.
It’s a 1941 book called 12 Million Black Voices written by Richard Wright with photographs by the most amazing photographers of the day including Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Arthur Rothstein.
It is a simple book beautifully written in poetry with passion and love. Powerful and startling showing everything from joy and optimism…
…to horrible poverty and despair, and the most horrible, gruesome, outrages injustices, (which I can’t bring myself to replicate).
It is the story of the Great Depression and the migration of oppressed people.
It is full of voices and faces which will never be forgotten. “Deep down in us,” the voices say, “we are glad that our children feel the world hard enough to yearn to wrestle with it.”
Reading thru this book, seeing the faces, understanding…it’s life changing.
Felicity
This book has a soul. It speaks to you directly. No doubt you are so moved by it. The world is made of duality. Where there is light, there is dark.
We are all deserve to collect things that touch us. If you can see what others cannot see in this book, then you deserve to own this book. You really have to change your own perception about yourself, Dear Veronica.
Hugs,
Felicity
Veronica
Aw, thank you Felicity, you sweet sweetie. I’ll try my best. Hugs to you. 🙂
sorrygnat
I’ve never seen that – in 1966 I discovered Black Boy and then American Hunger, a must read for everyone; amazing man, amazing!
Veronica
Esther, I now know of Black Boy and American Hunger and am on the look-out for them. Especially Black Boy because I love biographies. I’m also on the lookout for his poetry book Haiku, This Other World. Hugs to you my gentle friend. 🙂
sorrygnat
Black Boy and American Hunger are now together in a New Library; not sure of title of publisher book; profound; Manchild in the Promised Land, M. Claude Brown good too, alice Walker’s Third Life of Grange Copeland good, not known, but excellent, toni Cade Bambara’s Gorilla My Love (My Man Bovanne chapter hilarious); Paule Marshall’s Brownstone Girl, all the memoirs by African=american writers, and Sula my favoite Toni Morrison book, Women of Brewster Place good book, lousy film, Nora Zeale Houston(sp)
endless array of writers; hugs
sorrygnat
i am a memoir/biography, autobiography maniac, and adore them; off the topic – have you heard of an Interrupted Life, Etty Hillesum, – it is a profound book which arrowed its way to the inner linings of my heart and has never left; I’m Irish, and she was Jewish, and it’s about the Holocaust but in a way so different; it is an amazing book!
Veronica
Esther, I’m so looking Interrupted Life up! Thank you. 🙂
Catherine Llewellyn
i just realised i held my breath for that entire post!
Veronica
Aw Catherine, it was a long time before I could breathe myself. I was sat in the living room and suddenly there were tears and a worried Chloe wondering what on earth… Not just the writing, which is extraordinary, but the photography is unbelievable. I might bring it with me. Xx
Becca
You are truly blessed. First, to have such a wonderful bookstore where you can go and talk to friendly people who actually know about books. Second, to have such a wonderful friend who knows you so well and thinks to keep such a book for you. And last, but certainly not least, to have found and owned a book that touches you, soul deep, and can change your outlook on life. I’m so happy for you, dear friend.
Veronica
Aw, thank you Becca. 🙂 I didn’t think about that but you are so right. 🙂
vatelechuza
A book that must to be read to ameliorate our compassion and acceptation of our profound humanity! Thanks Veronica for your gift!
Veronica
Vatelechuza, what you write is so true. Thank you for pointing that out. 🙂
www.reddancerstudio.com
What an amazing book. Thank you Veronica for sharing it.
Veronica
It is amazing Marrianna. I wish I could send it out to everyone. Hugs 🙂
Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm
I kept having the same conversation with my MIL; her family felt the Depression because they couldn’t afford as much help; my family didn’t much feel the Depression because they were already Appalachian dirt poor. It’s all a matter of perspective but, truth be told, there are always some living better…and worse off…than others. As a practicing Christian, it’s my job to help lessen the gap.
Veronica
Sandra, that is so thoughtful. 🙂
Sara v
Veronica, that is beautiful. Of course you deserve it! Your friend knew who would treasure that book as it should be treasured And imagine the joy she is feeling in giving you such a wonderful gift 🙂 Those are amazing photos! That last face has my fingers twitching to grab a pencil and sketch! Thank you for sharing– Enjoy <3
Veronica
Oh Sara, I was thinking of the same thing. So many beautiful faces I hope you do sketch that person. I’d love to see it. 🙂