Around Amherst: Black Oral History project revived
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A project to document the history and experiences of African-American residents in Amherst, in part through interviews and oral recollections, is resuming in February after nearly a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Demetria Rougeaux Shabazz, a lecturer in film, media and cultural studies at the University of Massachusetts, Jones Library Archivist Cynthia Harbeson and Amherst Media are restarting the project supported by a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant.
“The Black Oral History project aims to preserve the volumes of wisdom and knowledge that our elders carry, how they were resilient in the face of anti-black racism during their lives,” Shabazz said. “It is my hope that their words may instruct, strengthen and revive us as we wage the fight for a better world.”