Member Reflections

USA 2003

While I was listening to Aunt Pearlie Sue in “Decoration Day” and after the presentation at the Penn Center, I realized more about slavery than ever before. I have read lots of facts and history and never let myself feel what it must have been like---it was just unthinkable. Hearing history from the survivors makes it real. I admire how they claim that history—on the bus we were told they haven’t renamed the towns because that is now their history, too. They have kept their African heritage, but they don’t deny that their ancestors were slaves and suffered. Many died but the survivors built a society with family ties and love.

Penn Center provided us with a home from which to experience a little of the Gullah culture. Last night, at our final concert, we knew almost everyone in the audience, all new friends from our stay here. It was wonderful to look out at the faces of new friends, people I would love to see again.

During the last talking circle, some remarks of Edward and Allan (friends from a chorus in South Africa who traveled with us on this tour) made me think of an analogy that I hope is acceptable-----
In the past, many whites found their comfort zone, they thought, in slavery, segregation, and apartheid. It was the opposite for blacks and through struggle they took it out of the comfort zone for whites too. And as everyone moved beyond the past, they found it wasn’t so bad---in fact, it was liberating!
For many or most of us, we lead quiet lives socially, staying in our own comfort zones. In SANS we are inevitably drawn out; and we reach that higher liberating level, where we are community, just like our mission, and we reach out similarly. (Would that we could stay at that level everyday!) This is how people should be.
The Gullah and South Africa connections on this trip were so appropriate.

From Allan Langa, Manager of the George Adult Choir in George, South Africa, who along with Edward Du Pisani, Director of the Choir, traveled with us in the USA:

For me the whole trip was very educational and in a way an eye opener and also a way of getting to know the members’ attitudes and behaviors more and more.
The neutrality of the group and its flexibility has also given me warmth in my heart that will remain in my heart for eternity.
The respect that the members have for each other has also contributed immensely in the growing successes of the group.
Everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord, that’s what you have shown and confirmed to me during the tour.
I wish to repeat that this tree will never go dry in the hands of such a capable group.
The mission and the vision of the group is getting support from every individual we talk to, so I take it as a mission accomplished.
Keep up the good work and let it not only end with us but also to other people in the whole world.
Keep the light on and lead the way for those who don’t know what the world deserves.
YOU ARE A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD!
Good luck. (Allan)