The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com.
Note: The audio for this recording, as well as part one, is available upon request. This is the second of a two-part recording; this part begins with a recording of an unidentified elementary classroom session. First, students read a book to their teacher. Then at 6:53, they sing a vowel song. At 7:51, the students continue reading to their teacher, then they listen to the songs My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, and The Lonely Goatherd from The Sound of Music. At 21:55, they complete an exercise on syllables. From 31:43 to 35:33, the students mingle and prepare to take a test. At 35:33, the teacher administers the test by asking questions about a book, then the students finish by reading to themselves. At 49:14, the recording returns to the conversation started in part one about nicknames when Marcia Roberts asks a student from Gordon High School, located in Decatur, Georgia, to share some of their classmates nicknames, to which the student replies Bubblegum. Unidentified students mingle for the remainder of the recording.
Gordon High School, a public high school located in Decatur, Georgia, was built in 1956 and graduated its first class in 1961. In 1987, it was renamed Ronald E. McNair Junior High School. Additional historical information about the school, and the students interviewed, has not been determined.
No transcript exists for this recording.
Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions.
As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.