from The Gallipolis Daily Tribune (2/24/2010)
“We all have a history to tell,” Elaine Armstrong told River Valley High School seniors during a presentation on Tuesday. “I am a firm believer, no matter who you are, people who don’t know their history are destined to repeat it.”
In an effort to celebrate Black History Month and expose students to tolerance, diversity and the application of historical lessons, Cindy Graham, a language arts teacher at RVHS, invited Armstrong to speak to the students. Graham said Armstrong works to draw parallels between her own history and the challenges the students’ ancestors may have faced, whether they were coal miners who worked to pay the company store or people who fled persecution in their own countries.
“She tries to find similarities rather than differences,” said Graham.
During her presentation, Armstrong, a lifelong Gallia County resident and recently retired dean of students at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College, talked about some of the history of the slave trade, showed several artifacts, including chains and a bill of sale, and discussed with the students what happened during those sales.
Graham said she seeks to encourage students to take an interest in their own histories.
“History gives you that sense of who you are,” said Graham.
Having exprienced it firsthand, Graham wants to be sure the students who are getting ready to strike out on their own are able to stand up against some of the prejudices they may face.
“We are all united through being Appalachian,” said Graham. “We’re Appalachia. We have a history.”
In the spirit of educating people about their history, a grant funded video project detailing the history of Gallia County Local Schools will soon be available to the public. In addition, a book about South Gallia is also soon to be released.
The debut event will take place on March 9 at the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre. A catered dinner will start out the evening from 5-6 p.m. in the ballroom. The cost is $5 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Josie Bapst at (740) 446-2929.
From 6-6:30 p.m., visitors will be able to preview the South Gallia book. The preview of the DVD will start at 6:30 p.m.
No reservations are necessary to attend the book and DVD preview and preorders for the DVD will be taken.
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