The Red Flannel Rag

my family had gotten their picture in a magazine. I had looked through the National

Geographic myself on occasion. The people in there were from faraway, exotic places so

there must be something special about Aunt Vernie and the way she lived. Suddenly my

mind was overwhelmed with the memories of Virgil’s humil iation in the first grade and

my own fear of humiliation. I still couldn’t tell Dr. Smith that this woman was my

daddy’s sister.

Dr. Smith, inspired by the National Geographic article, started a massive research

project with the mountain people, including the people of my community. He

interviewed them as they talked about the red flannel rag and thousands of similar

beliefs and practices. My job as his secretary included helping him collect his data and

transcribe the interview tapes for him. He was overwhelmed by what we were finding

and constantly talked about the beauty of this way of life and how it should be recorded.

As time went by, I trusted Dr. Smith enough to talk about a few of my own

experiences. One day he recognized that my silence had prevented me from being one

of his first interviewees. He lectured me for hiding and denying my rich cultural

heritage.

After I had worked for Dr. Smith for five years, he told me I should go to college.

He insisted that I was too bright to be a secretary for the rest of my life. I didn’t believe

him, of course, but he continued to suggest that I sign up for a college course during my

lunch hour. A year later I got enough nerve to sign up for an introductory English

composition class. I fell in love with reading and writing essays. Dr. Smith said he

would help me get Office of Economic Opportunity grants and teaching loans if I wanted

to go to college full time.

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