Destiny. And that was my experience. Using the box at the top of the page. Good evening everyone and welcome. Before we walk into the discussion of Morgan Jerkins book wandering in strange lands i would like to share a little bit of history. Stretching from union square they dwindled after 93 years. The sole survivor and now runs a Third Generation owner. We want to think all of you for your support. They would not be here today. And we are so appreciative of it. Tonight im beyond thrilled to have Morgan Jerkins with us to celebrate the release of her new book. Also a visiting professor at columbia university. Her short story work has been issued in the atlantic Rolling Stone l, esquire in the guardian among many others. Joining morgan and conversation. It was the author of the long division. A collection of f8 essays. Also the author of a memoir. Shortlisted for the metal. Named one of the best books in 2018. By the New York Times. Publishers weekly. The Library Library journal, the washington post. The San Francisco chronicle. Without further ado. Please welcome and welcoming morgan to the stage. Good morning everyone. Im so excited to talk to you about this book. I really wish we couldve done this down south. Two years ago i was in conversation with you. You helped me. I am mississippi through and through. I get shaken. When people start showing their love. Lets talk about wandering and straight strange lands. I am amazed not just how you pulled it off i think a lot of times we dont talk about enough about the gumption. I love when i say audacity. Let me say something. I sat right here on this couch crying. I just thought they were going to cancel the book deal. Lets table this. I graduated at a top university. I was trying to become an editorial system. I was not even making it sometimes from the first or second round. I was really devastated. The summer of 2014 i saw so many people writing content online. For you. They found the entry point through virtual essays. I wrote the first book. As a black woman. People like rack scene showed the world that you could be a black woman writing about that. I have always been a curious person. Im very close to my family. I was so curious about them. I wanted to investigate that. Even though i dont show that inspiring side of me. I have always been interested in history. I go down so many rabbit holes and i had been doing that for years. We both work people. I love how its wandering and strange lands. And how there is so much wondering in it. Its a wondering about your people and your father. And they led you to this journey where you come down south. You try to fight a part of you. Did you feel like youre going to look for part of you and a part of your father . Absolutely. I will keep it real. I was very insecure about where i fit in my fathers line. I did not even know i had three other sisters until i was about seven or eight years old. Now where do i sit in the family trees. When i wrote this book and the Louisiana Center of the book. It was so healing for you. It was definitely a journey im not only trying to find out the expansive of africanamerican history but also to find a bit of myself. And to be recognized. By people. And i was. If you had questions. Make sure to put him in the chat and we will get to them. What was your biggest preconceived notion about the south generally. Did you make a distinctions. Or was it all to you just south of new york. From maryland going on down is a south. I have never been to the deep south in that way. Ive been to florida and georgia. The south to me timmy is a rich cultural eating. It was like a shadow. What of what was passed on to me. This is something i sent you over text. Why did you come back. If you see a white person. Who looks presumably bed. I dont think i am done with new york yet. For example. I had had dreams of having a second home where they like a writers residency out of it. It has been the family 5070 years. There are things that are happening right now. I see this in the book. Did it make you see more black harlems in new york city. When you meet black people theyve got you in a way. A little bit more scattered. So many black chicagoans. Even if were not there. If there are remnants. With the dialect. There was a quote that really struck out to me. I feel like that is what it is. You mystified. And demystified. Water and land. And you didnt like great writers do. They help demystified. Can you talk to the audience about water lands. So much about the book. It was me unpacking a lot of my assumptions. I didnt know there were identities. Under the black american experience. I assumed all black people were afraid of water because thats what i grew up with. They had been intertwined for generations. It was because of her hair. Even the men who have the hair my mother grew up in atlantic city. No one knew how to swim. I wanted to take a step it a step further and say why is this. I spoke to a woman and lord country georgia. Thats not true. And when i did more research. She said in the documentary. It is a blood line. Is at the case. If the water is a blood line. For who we owe so much. Where did the separation occur. They will not let them go into water because they were afraid they would take them away. Even then. We dont know how many enslaved africans are at the bottom of the ocean right now. Some say its a floating grave yard. Even then. If we think about those who migrated north. Before they started migrating and droves. Were you the rich white or the poor right. When they started coming in drones. Everybody had to be white. They were going down to the south. It is one of the largest. Islands. The water is poured since. It is full of lead. So the water can constitute the freedom and you know. We think about baptism takes me to the water. Transformation. It can represent freedom and transformation. They buried their people face in the water. You will go back to africa. I wanted to make sure that i was most worried about this. You better nail it. It brings up 70 strong emotions. And i really want to check show the complexity of what water constitutes. That stretches. Its a century old legacy. Like segregation as i said. And also the genetics. Growing up down here a lot of us have grandparents and parents who died or almost died in lakes and rivers. But the fear of all of those bodies that we know that were at the bottom of the lake. They were just one of the things that terrified us growing up. I was lost. What i loved about what you just did. That is what the book is. It is walking with Morgan Jerkins as she researches in fines the majesty. The abundance. In you and us. I feel like the internet makes these kind of books less likely you wrote a book about researching. You were a book about researching me. Thank you for doing that. I want to make sure that we get to to the people that might not had actually read the book. Can we talk about can we talk about the tension. And this will be a tense free exploration. So many. Where do i start with that. I could take whatever you want me to take it. I feel like you flipped the isolation portion. Can we talk about that isolation. Will they talk about books that are now made like this. Im a millennial. I know how the internet could be a great place for conversation. In a terrible place. It was taken out of context. One thing i want to say is we say all the time im not my ancestors. I am stronger than that. What does that really mean. In ways that you are not being acceptable or comfortable in the present day. I tell people all the time. They were taught very streamlined. It was a trans atlantic slave trade. And then it was obama. Thats it. I was never taught that there were free people of color. I was never taught that there were black slaveowners. Instead of freedom. They still participate in the economy. We dont like to talk about those things. If youre still trying to get that financial or cultural place. I was taught that black people were on the further end of the spectrum. In my family or family of others. That was very uncomfortable for me. Thats what i wanted to elaborate on. If you think this makes you mad. This makes me mad too. There were a lot of parts where i didnt feel mad but i felt like you are complicating history but even some of us know in live. I felt like you were showing the different ways into what i consider my style. I want to talk about some of the interpersonal. When i came up north one of the difficulties i had was because what i have here a home training , looking back in the eye. I will not to everybody. Can you talk a little bit about the interpersonal folk waves. Thats it you imagine when you came down south. I knew black people looked out for me in a way that i didnt know what happened in the north. I want you to meet this person. Did you get back to the hotel safely. I will say this. The places i went to were seriously heavy. But even when i was making that drive back. Because i was a woman. I felt like i was protected. In a way thats really hard to describe. I felt it. Every time i got in my car. Every time i finished with another person. And i even have some people say to me. The reason why i spoke to you about this. I felt something about you. That what you were doing was genuine. They have artie been taken the damage up. I was already in a very precarious position. Can you talk about what you did necessitates ethics. I would say love of black people. You are coming to can communities that have been mined. And personal resources. You talk about the rules you set for yourself. Ask someone going into these places. That have been traditionally been mined. Go to the schaumburg which is part of the lab system. Before you even talk to them. Dont ask them relevant vent questions. You dont know these people. And youre going down to the south. Reach out to them first. Months before you travel. My name was soandso. This is my website. You know this is not a room. I spoke to him on the phone. Anytime i recorded them. I showed the recorder right in front of me. They would see me when i turned it on. The thing is about this. He have to be very careful with black people. Its dramatic to talk about. And someone told up. I make sure i go in the back door of the conversation. How many acres did you lose. What happened to this cousin. I started by asking them their name. Ask them about their parents. And tell me how its changed. Thats when they start to really manifest themselves on their own. Thats what i think about the architecture of memory. You may not need to go to the front door. You will see some kind of entry interior light. Thats what i do in terms of ethics. Make sure they know it you are. I also say, i could be seen as part of the establishment. I could be seen as the enemy. I also think what helps. As im a young woman. I have a very disarming smile. I wasnt coming with the whole team. Who knew. When youre 5 feet tall. What can i do. What can i say. I do know what youre saying. Do you feel like any people that you met they were still a bit not sure of how close to let you in. All the time. They want to know what it was used for. Not a Single Person i spoke to you is is in my book wanted to have a pseudonym. I thought that was incredible. I urge you to look in the acknowledgment section. I thought they would. As i mentioned some of these people risk their lives to show me certain things. How would their defendant find them. I was really thankful for that. I had been interviewing people. At the end of the day. Make sure when you describe me. You know what i said. I just wanted to hear people speak. I tell you that was one of the hard parts for me. How detached was i from the land. We would drive past the acres. I just do not have the language for it. When ill get back i get back home. I would look at pictures and i have to do additional work because i was trying to find the name of that. Im interested in the book just came out. You havent been able to sit and what it means im interested in what the anxiety over releasing this book in this moment. Can you just talk a bit about that. Im just glad i got the book done. The records were not coming. I just did not think it was gonna come together. I did not expect for it to to come out. After the protest happened. It was eerie. For me i think what you said. Not many people know this public side of me. This is a research and narrative. I can say the short answer im a gemini. Will you will see different types of styles coming from my body. As long as i can give another book deal. You will see many different phases. Its anxious because its just like to have the privilege of giving the ability to try. Thats i tell people all the time. 70 black female artist just want the chance to indent birth. To endeavor to make it big at something. I tell people all the time. It cost me somewhere close attention 2,000 in research. I have a book deal that allowed me to do this work. I have always wanted to expand. I wanted people to take another chance on me after this. On the New York Times bestseller list. I will not be able to activate people like that again. In terms of that. Its been very overwhelming. Im just thankful. For me i was psych if i could get some kind of coverage i would be happy. The type of coverage ive gotten for this book if any writer would dream to have. I feel like we need to make sure people understand the political integrity of a black woman wandering. It is not that black women wander. You let people know i am wondering in strange land, and then you place yourself in the title a daughter of the great migration. It sounds like you are also seen in that book. That you also are the daughter of spirit. Spirituality seems to guide you a lot. I am a christian. I grew up pentecostal. Their theyre very ecstatic. Emotional. And like i said before. It is just palpable in the south. It is heavy like its just so much theyre wasting. I felt that in tandem. Or the dry climate of oklahoma. You can just feel it. I think for me. I knew i was being protected. There was times when i shouldve gotten hurt. Nothing but a pocketbook. I told someone if i have to do my research again im not an ally i probably wouldve carried a weapon or gun. I was just there. No one could tell me otherwise. We get your questions and hear. We want to make sure that you get a chance to actually speak to morgan also. One of the things i was interested in talking about when im in harlem. I can feel the south. I dont know if i can feel my particular south. I can feel the east those of the south. I wonder if it needs more south. More black american southern isms. I wonder if there could be even more. For me like i used to live on little centerville. I you see her nothing but french there always needs to be more. We always need more. Not just in new york or new jersey where im from new england. We always need more. Those who know me i love the cake. Keep talking about the love of the south. What was your mothers reaction about you pursuing your mothers roots. My mother was just like go ahead. She has always been supportive about our family tree i will say. I voted in the book. When i was born my dad called me the milkmans baby i thought it was because i was always light. But then when i would hear from other people you dont know who your father is. It left me with a lot of shame. He goes to do that. I learned about one of my earliest ancestors. He had two families. Just like my father. And when i told my cousin about it. He was definitely in the milkman. And when she said that. I am the milkman may be. I am lucky to head parents that supported me through this journey. It has showed me that i have just as much in my fathers as my mothers. When you say the question of what i have to left to reconcile together. All i was looking for was revelation. Sometimes you cant reconcile everything. You might not had a hundred percent of the full truth. Something to pass on to my children. That was the best thing ever. All i wanted to do was endeavor. This person said. The second i finish reading it. Did you share portions of the book that were based on interviews with people you spoke to before it was published . Every single thing i wrote some of them said thank you. They were thankful. Thank you for telling my story like this. I was fortunate enough to get experts with time magazine. On a man on hilton head. Both of these people were crying when i told them about this. This is the work that i do. To bring the stories to the forefront. Those responses are invaluable to me. If someone was like when did that come out. I dont know i was it was just eight years ago. You were a baby almost. Its amazing you wrote this book. It seems like it didnt take that long. And felt long, i announce the book deal. A couple weeks before my birthday. I got published. Nicole said how can we make it more accessible. There needs to be Funds Available for sure. I was ten to 15,000 to do this type of work. They have different types of models that you cant find. Look for the oldest people in your family asked them where were they born. If they were born in that town. Thats were you can find out about their families and all that. There are many different chapters and states. Many in virginia and pennsylvania. There is not one in mississippi that i found. I would say to reach out to them as well. There needs to be Funds Available. Like myself who dont have any certified background in this. The questions are common. The questions are common. Did you ever feel conflicted about putting them in the book. Did you feel part of the people that you were talking to. I think that sort thats sort of what youre talking about. This is so personal. I have to realize that i have a personal stake in it. When i started to write the first draft of the book. I did not even interview them. I wanted to create this authoritative observer and i realize because of the work you dont have to be a distance observer. They gave you the consent. I showed you what the text was writing. Okay to merge that forward. So many ways in which we were meant to not survive. I did feel conflicted. I found that anger. This question says you both dismantle shame. Why is that dismantling of shame necessary . I think about all the ways there would be things subscribed on my body that i didnt put there. This is the way i was conditioned. It doesnt mean just legally free. However i choose to be able to do it. I used to carry a lot of shame. As it is a way for me to release. Do you feel like there are things. About trying to get to the root of the shame. They are detangling in the art. Is any sort of shame that protects you from experiences that you might not be protected from. They would probably say yes. I want to say yes. I dont know if its a shame. Her admin mission. A lot of times i would be taught. No people like that. It was coming in the way of superstition. I will say in terms of admonition in terms of warning. Absolutely. I want to make sure we get them all. Sharon gonzalez has two questions. She is bringing you big props for your chapter on water. Did they do the supplemental research. I found out when i was seven i have other siblings also. Did the help process that part of the journey. It starts about the generational drama. These are two individuals that i suggest. And also just the genetics on top of that. This is a great thing to look at. I was a little insecure. What about the fathers that preceded him. Kim williamson. How might one overcome family resistance or interest to genealogy research. I wanted to research my family tree for years. But my his older brother tos had stonewalled me. I would say do you have their name . If you have their name and where they were born or an inkling of where they were born. Go to ancestry. Com. If you just got something of those details. You can start peeling the pieces aside. As her childrens children. Go to the next person down. Anyway you can find that door i told you about. Always work around. The workaround. I think it was connected to the other question. As a ten. For me i told the writers all the time. You do not need to write all day long. But where is your stride. My stride is Early Morning you can talk to me about anything from the hours of 6 30 a. M. To noon that is usually what i write. And in the Early Morning. And because of the protests process that were happening i would be up till 2 00 in the morning and then i would go to bed. I headed download an app called selfcontrol. If you put three hours. Youre not cannot reverse that. That helps me. I like to edit at night. When it comes to writing i write in the Early Morning or mid morning. I write in the Early Morning or mid morning. I feel like the screen seems bigger in the morning also. People are so getting ready. Thats a perfect time for me to be able to do this. This is a question. The mix of memoir historical writing is so powerful as a writer i am energized by people writing their own personal history. Tell them to write stuff down. Im not just talking about on the internet. If they work were in a create a memoir about themselves what would they say. What are some of the traditions that they have. Have a assignment. Give me some facts about it. What was that town like. I found out i was a what is a town in which are from. I figured, one of the things i like to do is holistic teaching. You just need to realize what they say matters. Its very easy to feel insignificant. I think whats really important is when youre telling students to do this writing. As to let them know their life is a as a larger social fabric. Their individual life. It is important. Then you can go to the later part and how to structure it. As long as youre going to the first push. They will start to open up. It is literally how to and a lot of us teachers talk about the counter. They read the research here. That is when a Place Research in writing. We want to see the encounter. Talk about the encounter that youre seeing. I think a lot about friendship. We had one more question. What are those family myths that unraveled and you learned were not true. What are some of the old histories. It goes back to the opposite. That was with regard to my mother and that was something that was very difficult to impact. They said they got indian in them. But then i actually spoke to scholars to the 1619 project. They also spend their life researching at times. With the collective delusion. They tried to originate from the south. Theyre not. If they are not all line. Have i make sense of this. Please read the books. I was thinking about my relationship with books. They were not my friends. A lot of times there were right dash like white authors i have to read. Rereading this book during the pandemic it felt like a is not reduction doll. But if you go along with me for a second and you see this is a complicated creation help me to wake up. Help to only push them in his own work. How would you describe this book if it were a friend. I was alone and semi different areas. This is what it was doing to me not only on the intellectual level but the emotional level. When i think about this book. It is my gift. For my family and my future children. But as they know. They never had to question their state. They can trace them back 300 years. They can trace their family back that far. What i wanted to be was a document. What i want people to see is there are cycles that have been. Whether it was state violence. Orlando displacement. These things keep happening. For anybody that has an interest in africanamerican history. Why do they keep happening. This book is for you. This book for me. I want people to feel that. I want them to see the blood and veins going through all of this. There to keep converging. As been brought to the africanamerican family system. But also the beauty the beauty and the triumph. Through laws and statutes. Drop the mic. Thats it. I want to think the strain for being an incredible lover of books. Thank you for just doing some stuff i could never do. You bless us. I know it was a legacy book for your family but you bless us. Thank you so much. I was so thankful that they have that opportunity. Thank you all to all the people that came in. And they also had these. Tv is television for serious readers. This weekend and all weekend. Join us for the best and nonfiction books. Host brendan carr is one of five federal Communications Commission committee members, and he is one of three republicans on the commission as well in the majority and he is our guest this week on the communicators. Commissioner carr, not the politics but the mechanics, what happens to the commission if there is a change in administration after