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In this society, it often seems that we are like lemmings being led to the sea, or that we are listening to the riveting tunes of a Pied Piper. The theory seems to be that if one is not in possession of facts, then one should just dazzle the public with rhetoric. Perhaps then, people will feel as though the speaker/or writer has a higher calling and truly knows more.

The quote in the title of this essay, “Analysis Paralysis,” is brilliant, if not taken out of context. The two words are attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King, that African-American visionary-martyr, who was educated, and whose words resonate, even after all of the years that have passed since his death. He will be revered forever, as a spokesman for the truth, and that is what makes him an icon, for all races.

“There is nothing so powerful as the truth, and nothing quite so strange.” This statement was spoken by New Hampshire statesman, Daniel Webster, a hard-thinking, hard-drinking man, and a leader of the people. The first part of the sentence has become somewhat of a state motto. Another set of words to live by in the Granite State is, “Live free or die,” stated by General John Stark.

I believe in the truth. That is why I do buy viagra for men believe in the trumped-up notions that helped to weave together a tale about a secret quilt code, out of wholecloth. To weave something out of wholecloth is an idiomatic expression. If you are not familiar with it, you’d best look it up.

What would Dr. King think of this phenomena called the “secret quilt code?” As a man who stood for the truth, what would his “take” have been?

Eager to seize something warm and fuzzy (quilts) to add to a more rigorous learning environment (history classrooms), the idea of the secret quilt code, as actually having existed, captured the minds and hearts of many people. Now that this idea is in place, and has been endorsed by those “in high places” (in some instances, “educated fools”) and those who BELIEVE, the idea can’t be let go. To try to explain why this scenario could not have buy viagra for men is met with heavy resistance, especially by those whose egos can’t/won’t let go of the idea because they have become so emotionally-invested in it.

Never, ever, believe all you hear, or all you read! Just because someone has a college degree more than you does not necessarily mean that they have all the answers or are the experts in everything.

I defer to reasoning and use solid facts to back up my ideas. That is the course of action that I think is correct.

People come and people go. Already, Ozella McDaniel Williams, the woman who offered up this “family secret quilt code” has crossed the River Jordan. Likewise, one of the greatest detractors of the idea, Giles Wright, an African-American with a Ph.D., has likewise succumbed to the brevity of life.

This is not a race issue and I refuse to see it as that. History is what happened, not what it is convenient to say happened, in order to make us all feel better, and somehow, sanitize the past. I will continue to speak the Truth, as I see it, until I “shuffle off the mortal coil.”

“Analysis Paralysis” is a term not likely forgotten. It sums up the mindset of those who refuse to look at the facts and do some critical thinking.

My comments do not come from out of the blue. They are offered in direct response to more statements online today (on a list) about secret codes. You know, stories are passed down through the generations. I came to know that I could believe less than half of what I heard. Stories take on a life of their own and are usually not reliable indicators of the facts of any matter. The storyteller’s viewpoint often gets in the way of a truthful account.

This conversation about the secret quilt code should have been terminated long ago. However, there are those who want to look at quilts and read into them more than is logical to assume. These individuals are motivated either by money or attention. That’s what the situation looks like from where I sit. Now, to give this topic a much needed rest!

Yours,

Patricia Cummings In the great state of New Hampshire, where we calls ‘em like we sees ‘em.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 7:21 pm and is filed under , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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  1. Beth Davis says:

    Pat,
    I am quite stressed at the note, which I know is what prompted your blog entry. The “Doctor” who basically accused the discussion group members of making “conclusions formed with limited information insight and intimacy in historical subjects”. This makes one feel that we should limit discussions to only the topics that have already been proven with cold facts. How can we learn if we cannot share opinions without fear of criticism or retribution of not being diverse or inclusive enough?
    Just an observance

    • says:

      I commented on the topic on my own blog to make the greater world aware that the controversy continues in some circles about whether or not quilts were used as signal devices on the Underground Railroad. It is NOT a continuing controversy among serious quilt historians or historians who base their opinions on research facts, instead of “feelings.”

      The opinion that “I feel it is so, and therefore, it must be true,” flies in the face of true scholarship, which should be based on study, the gathering of data, analysis, conclusions, and understanding. I don’t buy the idea that someone with an advanced degree knows more about a subject that someone else, like me, who has devoted the last 20 years to studying quilt history, daily, particularly when that other person’s academic area is not textiles, or history, but art.

      Open discussion is a good thing. If scholars did not question, or consider the possibilities, all history would be just a rehash of sometimes misleading statements and some that are not true. No new discoveries would be made. For heaven’s sake, in my case, one of my research subjects would still be called by a false name, not her true name of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster.

      I don’t feel that historians or quilt historians want to close themselves off from considering other viewpoints. All of us should remain open-minded and be fair. It is just kind of hard to maintain an equilibrium when someone incites another person post information to an online list, and the information is indiscernible, insulting, and inflammatory, and the person who wanted it posted is not even present in the discussion. herself.

      I am ready to celebrate African-Americans and all of their contributions to building this great nation. I stand with them to acknowledge their pain and struggles. I applaud their wish to seek freedom and cast off the bonds of tyranny. I draw the line at accepting fanciful stories about their need to make or use quilt blocks to find their way to where they were going. Ach! I have written so much on this topic. My heart is turning to a stone and my ears are flapping over whenever I hear this fallacy of the “secret quilt code” that makes African-Americans looks silly and childish, and somewhat “limited.” Unfortunately, now that this topic is a rolling stone, we are bound to keep finding those who would capitalize on untrue statements, and trumped-up, non-historical accounts of their slave ancestors. Deliver us from evil. Amen.

  2. says:

    Great post, as usual! I am personally enthralled by oral histories, and they can really enrich a story, but that does not make them true. I have encountered this repeatedly in my family genealogy research. You know, the stories about great-uncle so-and-so, who was caught in a fence and froze to death. It’s a great story, but without anything else to go on, it remains a lovely (or grizzly, in this case) story.
    Our memories are also faulty, or choosey. Sometimes we remember things we were told, and often believe them to be true, because they were related to us for so many years. Get three siblings in a room and ask about a family event, and they will all remember it differently.
    There is a terrific book about memory writing: Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson. It might help clarify this strange occurence of our memories.
    Thanks for the post.