Dakota County Library - Jerry Blue: Stories from the Laughing Chair
Dakota County Library sponsored an event with Storyteller Jerry Blue.
Keeping traditional African-American stories alive is part of Jerry Blue’s mission as a storyteller. He believes that too often we look to television, movies and books, and overlook human sources—the people who have been around for years and know the local lore and stories.
Jerry Blue's stories come from West Africa and the southern part of the United States
Date and Location:
June 24, 2010 - Pleasant Hill Library; Hastings
Total attendance- 73
Stories From the Laughing Chair
Grades: K-12
Jerry’s stories come from West Africa and the southern part of the United States. In the African-American community, the storyteller’s role is like that of the griots of Africa, who were the oral historians and educators of their time. The storyteller is viewed not just as an entertainer, but as a valued custodian of the past and a chronicler of the future. In the past, when African-American people couldn’t speak freely or openly, or when they were forced to laugh when they really wanted to cry, they used stories to get their messages across. Believing that we are all storytellers, Jerry will leave your students with the understanding that each of us has important stories to share.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status