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Alice Faye Duncan Talks About Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop

 

In her historical picture book, Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, Alice Faye Duncan reminds us that struggling for something worthwhile, no matter how steep the climb, is worth every hardship and challenge encountered along the way.  Alice Faye stopped by to talk about the book, her creative process, and the importance of writing about Southern history.

Your book, Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, is about the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968 and Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to the city. Describe the story.

MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP is a historical fiction picture book that presents the story of nine-year-old Lorraine Jackson. In 1968 she witnessed the sanitation strike, which was Dr. King’s last stand for justice before his assassination. The girl’s father, mother, and little Lorraine, sacrifice their comforts to march in the labor protest.

What did the settlement of the strike mean for Lorraine Jackson’s family?

Because her father is a Memphis sanitation worker, the strike settlement means that Mr. Jackson can return to work with the promise of a pay increase, safe work conditions, and fewer incidents of racial discrimination.

Why is it important for children to read books like Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop?

The reality of racism, injustice and unfair labor laws remain a constant in America. Children must read and be aware of the challenges they will face as adults. The struggle continues for all because economic injustice is not just a matter of racial identity. Unfair labor laws are about capitalists abusing American workers.

How important is research to you when writing a book?

Reading books for research is important. However, finding primary sources, who were a part of the history that interests me is the greatest research achievement. Almella Starks Umoja was a teacher, who marched with Dr. King during the sanitation strike. I was able to interview her on several occasions and this set a great foundation for my book.

How long did it take you to write Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop?

I started writing the story in 2005. My last draft was complete in 2015. I wrote about 8 different iterations of the story before I reached a final draft.

Did you ever have a rough patch in writing Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop where the story didn’t seem to come together? If so, how did you work through it?

The story came together finally, when I interviewed Almella in 2015. She told me a story about her sneaking out the house in the middle of a curfew to dry clothes at a laundromat, while National Guards patrolled the Memphis streets. This imagery and her daring spirit gave breath and bone to my story idea.

How important is it for authors to write books for children about events that occurred in the South?

The racist ideals that shaped the South—shaped all of America. Even now, only the landscape makes New York different from a Mississippi or Tennessee. And no matter the region, writers must share what happened in this country, so young readers can think critically and ultimately, eradicate egregious errors of the past.

Why was it important for you to write about the Memphis Sanitation Strike?

I grew up in South Memphis. My neighbors, family members, and church members participated in the strike. The strike is a part of my local history.   Providence chose me to write this story.

Your book is being well received in the children’s book industry. What accolades has Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop received?

My book has received a star review in Kirkus and Booklist. It was also chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection for 2018.

How do you feel when people appreciate your work?

I don’t know how or where the words are born, when they fit just right. The magic of words and the way they work to shape ideas and imagery leaves me dumbfounded—everyday.

What inspires you to write?

Ideas come to me during the process of living, traveling, listening to music or reading books. Last week I was driving and passed a shabby apartment building. An idea popped in my head. I’ve got more book ideas than I have time to write.

Do your books carry a message?

I start each book with a metaphor in mind. Every book that I write has a theme, a message or prominent symbol. In MEMPHIS the dominant imagery is struggle—a mountain climb.

How much of yourself do you put into your books?

Each book carries my voice, my DNA, my bearing and being. I can hear myself in every book. My thumbprint is there. It’s very much like parents and children. I am the parent and each book is my child. Because I created the book, I see my likeness in it. And yet, each book retains its own individual distinction beyond me.

Do you have a day job other than being a writer?

I serve the city of Memphis as a librarian.

Tell us about an interesting or memorable encounter you had with a fan?

Once while paying for a purchase at the cosmetic counter, the sales clerk noticed my name on my credit card. She proceeded to run around the counter shouting, “THIS IS Alice Faye Duncan! THIS IS Alice Faye Duncan!” When she settled down, the clerk explained that her mother had gifted her a signed copy of my book, WILLIE JEROME, when she was a kid. WILLIE JEROME was her favorite book in grade school.

What advice would you pass on to aspiring children’s book writers that is unconventional but true?

Make it a point to celebrate and elevate others. The Universe has a long memory. It remembers every act of kindness and pays in compound interest.

Tell us about your upcoming books?

I wrote the first picture book biography on the life and times of Gwendolyn Brooks. The title is A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS. The release date is January 2019.

I also wrote a book to celebrate the special bond between mothers and daughters. The title is JUST LIKE A MAMA. Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, who is Jerry Pinkney’s granddaughter, is the illustrator. The release date is Mother’s Day—2019.

What do you do in your free time?

I work full-time as a librarian and I write in my free time. You can find me writing every weekend and every holiday. During the summer months, I travel and write.

How can schools and event planners get in touch with you for school visits or speaking events?

My website is www.alicefayeduncan.com

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop is available online and in book stores.

Alice Faye Duncan is a librarian and poet. She writes picture books for young readers and her favorite poem is “Things” by Eloise Greenfield

 

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Childrens Books Can Inspire

One August day I was invited to the main branch of the Little Rock Public Library to read  Uncle Jed’s Barbershop to 7 & 8 year olds during Storytime. Since school was not in session parents brought their children. After reading the story, the question and answer period was dominated by parents, who were fascinated with the historical aspects of the story. They shared their childhood memories about going to the barbershop. Some animatedly talked about relatives who were barbers.

But there was not one word from any of the children.

I really wanted to hear what the children thought since Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is a book for children. No matter how long I waited, there was no comment from a child.

After all adults had exhausted their questions and shared their barber stories, I packed my bag to leave.

As I was going out the door, a little girl stopped me. She said, “I liked your story about Uncle Jed. I want to be a doctor when I grow up. But my grandmama keeps saying I’ll never be one. Now I know I can be a doctor.”

The emotions her comment generated in me are indescribable. I knew then I had achieved my goal in writing Uncle Jed’s Barbershop.  I wanted to inspire children to dream big dreams for their lives and to believe that those dreams can come true.

But that day, this girl ended up inspiring me. As a result, I felt a bigger responsibility; to make sure as many students as possible heard the story of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop.

The Little Rock library visit was my very first appearance with Uncle Jed’s Barbershop.  Since then I have travelled throughout the United States sharing Uncle Jed’s story. And countless children have read about Uncle Jed and his dream of owning a barbershop.

Year after year I receive letters from students telling me about their dreams and how hearing Uncle Jed’s story has convinced them that their dreams can come true. The letters come directly to me after school and event visits.

Letters and emails even arrive from students with which I have had no contact. They have found Uncle Jed’s Barbershop in their school library, their public library, or their teachers read it to them. An interesting aspect of the letters is that the students tell me their dreams, and they also share who tells them they cannot achieve those dreams. Oftentimes, it is a close family member.

I am delighted that Uncle Jed’s Barbershop has inspired and continues to inspire children to dream great dreams for their lives, no matter how unattainable others think those dreams may be!

For further information about Uncle Jed’s Barbershop

 

 

 

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Uncle Jed’s Barbershop Speaks To A New Generation

Recently I visited Schertz Elementary School near San Antonio to talk about Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. My main goal when visiting with students is to inspire them to dream big dreams for their lives. Students were excited to share their dreams. My heart is filled with joy because Uncle Jed’s story is just as relevant today as it was when it was first published.

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Uncle Jed’s Barbershop tells the story of Uncle Jed who goes house to house cutting hair in the 1920’s and 1930’s. His dream is to open his own barbershop. However he meets with setback after setback. But he doesn’t give up on his dream. He finally opens his barbershop when he is 79 years old.

When I ask students to share their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up, I find that students fall into three categories: those who are eager to share, those who are shy and don’t want to voice their dreams, and those who have no dreams at all.

I try to draw out the shy, reticent ones to let them know that their dreams matter. And even if their friends laugh at them, it doesn’t matter. You see, my friends laughed at me too when I said I wanted to get my books published. But I didn’t listen to them and set about pursuing my dream.

When I encounter students who have no dreams I try to get them to think about what they like to do. As they think about the things they like soon the light comes on and there is a secret dream that they have but they don’t think they can accomplish it.

So I tell them my story, complete with the heartaches that made me want to quit and the successes that came because I didn’t give up on my dream.

Then we discuss Uncle Jed’s Barbershop and the setbacks Uncle Jed encountered on the way to achieving his dream.

By the end of the visit students realize that they can dream of accomplishing a goal. And they can achieve it, regardless of the challenges they encounter.

I know because of the many letters I receive from students. I also hear stories from people who met me at their schools years ago and are pursuing their dreams because of my encouragement.

I am overjoyed that a new generation of students is now hearing the Uncle Jed’s Barbershop story in a variety of ways: literature textbooks, required reading lists, social studies textbooks, financial planning lessons, entrepreneurship lessons, studying about relationships with older people, philanthropy education, lessons on the Great Depression, etc.

Because of the many lessons that have been developed from Uncle Jed’s Barbershop I am getting invitations to schools to tell students the story behind the story. If you would ask a student what they remember most about my visit, they will tell you that I encourage them to dream and to believe those dreams can come true, whether they are saving to buy a video game, or planning to go to college, or dreaming of becoming a scientist.

Students in other countries are also reading Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. The book has been translated into many languages. Students in China, South Korea, Israel, Japan, and other countries are hearing about Uncle Jed and his dream. I recently received an email from a father in Israel who told me how much the book impacted him and his daughter and the discussion that ensued because of it. Regardless of where they live, students are learning to dream big dreams for their lives. And in the process, they are learning something about the history of the American South.

Chinese Uncle Jed - Copy

The team of David Wohl, Kenneth Grimes, and Susan Einhorn has adapted Uncle Jed’s Barbershop into an award-winning musical featuring Broadway veterans. Students and their families can now see the story come to life on the stage when it comes to their cities.

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3 Reasons I Write About the History of the South

My books for children are set in the segregated South and focus on ordinary people who achieved extraordinary things for the time period in which they lived.  There are a number of reasons I write about the history of the South.  However, my top three reasons are:

1)  To Inspire Children to Dream Great Dreams For Their Lives – If children can see that the characters in my stories, who lived during a time of racial barriers and discrimination, could achieve their dreams, surely they will believe that they can too.  I’ll never forget the little girl who said to me, “I like your story about Uncle Jed.  I want to be a doctor when I grow up, but my grandmamma says I’ll never be one.  Now I know I can be a doctor.”  In all of my school visits I always ask the kids to tell me their dreams.  I want them to be heard.  I want them to feel that their dreams matter to someone.

2)  I Grew Up In The South – I was born and raised in Holly Springs, Mississippi on my grandfather’s farm.  My grandfather owned his own farm during a time when not many black people owned their own land.  I was a firsthand witness to the struggles my grandfather went through in maintaining his farm, which is why I put obstacles to be overcome in my stories.  I want children to know that dreams are sometimes not easy to achieve.  It seems like the bigger the dream, the bigger the obstacles that come your way.  But with persistence, focus, and determination, dreams can and will come true.

3) I Am Proud To Be From Mississippi – When someone asks me where I’m from, I without hesitation say Mississippi.   And being a proud product of Mississippi, I want children to be proud of where they are from and to remember that it is not where you start but where you end that counts.

The South has a troubled history that some think is best forgotten.  But only by discussing it can we focus on how to do our part to make the world a better place.