Preserving Your History

Papa with his granddaughter on his 90th birthday

My great-grandfather, Ed Rinne, was born in 1880 in Illinois.  As  a young man, he spent a short time farming with his father in Alabama.  I am lucky to have an audio interview with him done sometime in the late 70’s when he would have been 90+ years old.  But I was shocked when I listened to him talk about his time in the south. He uses the the word “nigger” repeatedly in telling this story.  I vacillated about posting it.  Would listener’s understand the language usage in the era he grew up in?  He clearly is not using it in a pejorative sense. As a matter of fact, he has scorn only for the white southerners.  But it is shocking to hear, nevertheless.

This has been an issue in the past with Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. As well as Shakespeare’s language in The Merchant of Venice that is derogatory toward Jews.  Are we using any language today that will be shocking to our great-grand kids? Should we, or even could we, hide or sanitize our past use of language?  Here is his story as he told it, warts and all.  (Note: The “they” he refers to at the end are the white towns people.)

Papa Rinne on working in Alabama

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The International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review (IIRLR) is pleased to announce the
Florence Gray Soltys Graduate Student Award for exemplary research or practice in the field of
reminiscence and life review that contributes, knowingly or not, to the IIRLR mission. Nominations
will be accepted from faculty and others who believe the work of a graduate student significantly
forwards the IIRLR mission.

IIRLR Mission
To further define and develop the interdisciplinary field of reminiscence and life review through
discussion and collaboration in practice, research, education, volunteer and individual applications
across the lifespan.

Requirements:
• Research, program or project completed during a graduate or post graduate program in any
field that furthers the IIRLR mission
• Nomination letter that details above and includes a resume20of the nominated student
• Contact information for both the nominator and nominee
• Must be received before April 15, 2009
• Send via email to dsislo@uwsuper.edu

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