HisStory, a documentary depicting the lives of 35 African American fathers and sons from Winston-Salem, will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 in the McNeil Banquet Hall in the Anderson Center.
The film, a compilation of interviews of fathers reflecting on their lives, their experiences and their hardships, is the featured event for this year’s annual library benefit sponsored by the WSSU Friends of the Library.
The FOL Planning Committee, with the assistance of the library media production staff, shaped the interviews into a documentary.
HisStory features young and mature men from a variety of backgrounds and careers, including politicians, lawyers, physicians, educators and ministers who reflect on a variety of topics. The interviewees discuss the role of the family and church in their childhood to the influence of sports and politics in their adolescence.
“We are attempting to document just a few of the guiding principles and parenting techniques that were utilized to mold today’s parents and strong leaders,” Mae L. Rodney said.
Rodney, the founder of the Friends of the Library and WSSU’s Director of Library Services, conceived the HisStory concept for the 2008 fundraiser.
“Many excellent parenting strategies used by grandparents and parents have been thrown aside for the easy way out and for the sake of giving children what they want instead of what they need,” Rodney said.
“Hearing only a few of the stories made me realize that the previous generation sacrificed a lot to give their children an education. They demonstrated a great work ethic and also taught their children to respect others.”
The WSSU Friends of the Library 2006 and 2007 benefits focused on life challenges and experiences from a woman’s perspective,” Rodney said.
“In 2008, we opted to look at life from the male point of view and give men a voice in the shaping of family life and culture.”Larry Womble, N.C. House Representative and a WSSU alumnus, was interviewed in the documentary.
“I feel this program has created pride, awareness, closeness and empathy,” Womble said. “This program has given me a deeper appreciation for the various people in my life, especially my relatives.”
The program will be narrated by Lorenzo Meachum, a blues musician and nationally known performer of folk stories and music for more than 30 years.
Peyton Hairston, a retired educator and former WSSU Alumni Association president, also participated in the interviews.
“I have worked in the public sector for years,” Hairston said.
“When I was asked to be part of this, I was flattered and excited.”
Hairston said that if young men take only one thing from his interview, it is to be more conscientious about the choices they make and their possible consequences.
“Young men don’t always know their history or appreciate what their ancestors have done for them,” Hairston said.
“They need to consider their actions not as individuals, but as part of a collective whole. You need to make decisions based on the good of the race.”
Seats are $50 a person and $25 for students. Attendees can reserve all or part of a table of eight. The deadline for buying tickets is Nov. 3. Tickets can be purchased in O’Kelly Library 227.