Patricia Cummings, autumn 2010. photo by James Cummings

Unlike another quilt historian, Leigh Fellner, I did not throw the book best price for cialis 20mg across the room when I was first reading it. Rather, I was intrigued or perhaps mystified at the amount of misinformation, faulty and illogical conclusions and misleading associations contained therein. It was apparent to me that a true quilt historian had not written the book, a book that was based upon hearsay, that is, the story told by an old dying Black woman vending quilts. Those who “believe” the story of the secret quilt code, as told to co-author Jacqueline Tobin, recite it, memorize it and teach it. The book itself was written by Raymond Dobard, a professor of art history at Howard University. The fact that he is Black may account for the fact that he was invited to appear on the Oprah show. Tobin, who is Caucasian, was not extended the same invitation, according to sources. The fact that the author is a professor immediately colored the public’s perception of the book as fact, even though he, himself, indicates in the book, that the premises he sets forth are based on speculation.

This last month, Black History month, ended yesterday with my being contacted by an individual who asked me what I “get” out of trying to disprove the secret quilt code. After reading her e-mails all day long and responding, I called her only to learn that she did not want answers or any reasoned discussion because that would, in her words, be “upsetting.” I am always willing to discuss my thoughts, observations and thought processes behind my conclusions. She announced that I do not understand the “agency of the minorities under oppression.” I responded, saying that I believe that slaves were intelligent and clever and I give them a lot of credit. It’s just that there is no evidence to indicate that quilts were used to help escaping slaves. She doesn’t “get it” nor will she ever understand. Her mind is closed to learning, in spite of her claim to holding advanced academic degrees.

This person is not alone in her blanket acceptance of fiction as fact. The National Park Service was one of the first to promote the idea. I still have some of their posters that they printed by the thousands and were giving away to anyone who asked for them, in whatever quantity.

During Black History month, I spoke with a woman who was planning to present three talks in her home state. She intended to describe the code and then let people “make up their own minds.” I gently urged her to guide her listeners to the truth by providing some of the many reasons why quilt historians cannot accept the faulty information as Gospel Truth. I sometimes feel like a lone voice in the wilderness. Most quilt historians have “moved on” from this topic. We have, after all, talked it to death among ourselves. Yet, there is so much more work that needs to be done.

I would be hopping mad irate and tearing my hair out were I to hear that my grandchildren were exposed to this nonsense in school, in lieu of REAL history lessons. School administrators continue to adopt this foolish misrepresentation of history called the secret quilt code and they call it History, Sometimes, ignorance is just overwhelming. The point of this essay is that one little book has changed America, and not for the better, for those of us who prefer the TRUTH.

Last month, in addition to other files about Black History already present on our site, I posted a Black History Crossword Puzzle, information about a number of new Mammy Quilt/Aunt Jemima Quilt sightings, and a new article yesterday about the Wedgwood Medallion, and other blog articles. I do more than most individuals who have a quilt-related web presence. Our free educational website is the result of the many long hours I spend in researching and writing, and the time Jim spends with photography. It is a labor of love… because we care. There is satisfaction in a job well done.

Patricia Cummings

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