We read two stories from The People Could Fly, a collection of 24 African American folktales retold by Virginia Hamilton, stories that kept her ancestors’ culture alive during slavery. We read and discussed the title story "The People Could Fly", a fantasy tale of enslaved people who possessed the ancient magic power that enabled them to fly away to freedom. It's "a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to "fly" away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale."
We explored two narratives from The People Could Fly, a compilation of 24 African American folktales retold by Virginia Hamilton, which served to preserve her ancestors’ culture. Specifically, we delved into the central story "The People Could Fly," a fantastical account of enslaved individuals endowed with an ancient magical ability that allowed them to soar to freedom. This poignant narrative sheds light on those who were unable to escape, remaining in bondage but finding solace in their boundless imaginations as they recounted and passed down this tale.
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Performance - Trevor Weston's "The People Could Fly," The Harlem Chamber Players and violin soloist Lady Jess, narrated by Terrance McKnight and featuring dancers from the Harlem School of the Arts as part of Pity These Ashes: Tulsa 1921-2021, a Juneteenth concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
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