Summers in Yemassee
Ms. F recalls a lifetime of moves—from her childhood birthplace in Yemassee, South Carolina, to Florida, and later to Jersey City for over seven decades before settling in Richmond, Virginia, at age 90. When recalling a home that had a meaningful impact on her life, Ms. F. was brought to the intangible concepts of home, rather than the physical structure. She described playing and working among her siblings and other children on her grandfather’s farm. These were happy, picturesque memories. “I just enjoyed being there with them.”
A running theme throughout Ms. F.’s interview was her motto of treating others well and getting along. She mentioned this was a lesson from her mother, “Mom always taught us to be nice to people, don’t try to be mean or hateful to people.” Ms. F. lives with her daughter, and when she thinks of home, she thinks of imparting her life lesson of getting along: “I want that my children that they know how to treat people; that they will get along with people and don’t be mean and hateful, hateful with anybody.”
Growing up, Ms. F. would travel with relatives to different homes. Ms. F. recalled positive memories of growing up in rural communities. Ms. F. met and played with children near her grandfather’s farm.
Narrative researchers today imagine narrative identity as more dynamic and shifting, drawing from culture, life transitions and relationships, and many other influencing factors (Adler et al., 2015). Foundational narrative theorists explain how meaning is derived from story, rather than from rationality. Both perspectives relate to Elizabeth’s narratives on her experiences with race and home. When asked about how race has affected her housing history, Ms. F. was steadfast in her positive outlook and recollection:
“I didn't have too much problem in my home and life. Everybody was nice to me. And we just try to be nice to everybody. And we get along. I try to get along with everybody. I had no problem with disliking anybody. I just enjoy life.”
During the interview, her daughter reminded her about specific instances of segregation and poor treatment, specifically from a number of white employers.
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