In recognition of Black History Month, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to announce the program "Entangled Lives: A Conversation Between Descendants of Master and Slave" on Friday, Feb. 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Student Union.
The event features Osher Professor Ann Neel and her long-time colleague from Chicago, Pam Smith.
Entangled Lives is about two women friends - one white, one black; one
twenty years older than the other; one lesbian, one straight -- who learned that during the era of American slavery the ancestor of one was "owned" by an ancestor of the other. Memoir, family history, and social commentary in two voices, this presentation is about their struggles and revelations in coming to terms with that past.
"Their experiences really represent to a greater extent American history," said Lou Miller, Executive Director of OLLI at SSU, "what was immoral and unethical from that time period can today be a touchstone for the process of understanding, healing and transformation to not only their descendants but us as a nation."
Their painful entanglement takes both Ann and Pam on a journey of self-discovery - exploring their origins, beliefs and personal histories. Eventually, Pam's buried rage bursts a hole through their relationship. The wound begins to heal and a relationship is built on admiration, respect, and love evolves between the two women.
"We hope that hearing our story will move people to begin to think about their own backgrounds," Neel said. "We want our work to inspire them to begin exploring the sources of conflict and actual connections they have with people in groups defined as 'different' from themselves."
Since 1996, Neel and Smith have conducted dozens of presentations across the nation for college and community audiences. Their story has been featured on CBS Network News, LIFETIME (Beyond Chance with Melissa Etheridge), NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.
While it is not unusual for people tracing their ancestors lives to discover "new cousins," it is rare for them discover a connection embedded in an ugly past and then become true life-long friends. For Ann and Pam, it's been 15 years.
"It's hard to think about and talk about slavery. It makes us uncomfortable - we'd just as soon pretend it never happened," said Smith, a communications consultant. "But my relationship with Ann has taught me the value of open and honest communication. It really is possible to talk about the unfathomable - and that courageous act can free us to work toward a better future for us all."
