Patricia Turner’s new book, Crafted Lives: Stories and Studies of African American Quilters has just been published, according to UCDavis New Service. Information is offered under the press release title, “New Book Examines Black Quilts From Slavery to the White House.” An Obama quilt adds charm to the written overview of the book. The author is a veteran of many articles and books about the Black experience. A list of titles she has written is available via the last link, just provided.
I have ordered the book, keeping an open mind that it will be informative and not slanted or in error. My greatest hope is that it does not provide more false history about Black people, particularly, in regard to their quilts and their role in the Underground Railroad. (No proof exists that quilts had any role in escapes). For some time now, historians and quilt historians have been adamant about speaking out to correct the fallacies that have arisen and that are being happily promoted in our schools as fact, rather than fantasy.
Always a student, I am willing to learn. With that thought in mind, I hope that Dr. Turner provides solid information, not more speculation, or a “he said, she said, they said, we said” format to her new book. With baited breath, I await the arrival of this work.
A compelling piece of writing, online, by Patricia Turner, is titled, “The Rise and Fall of Eliza Harris: From Novel to Tom Shows to Quilts,” in which she states that the ice blocks that were the means to safety in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin have been replaced by quilt blocks. I think you will enjoy reading this lengthy essay.
I hope that you will take a look at these new reading possibilities on the subject of African-Americans and quilts. It is important not to engage in revisionist history that is unsubstantiated. As always, knowledge is power.
To see a colorful array of Underground Railroad minis, check out this flickr file.
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
