THE INTERPRETERS GAZE ON THE AMERICAN SOCIAL LANDSCAPE:

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THE INTERPRETERS GAZE ON THE AMERICAN SOCIAL
LANDSCAPE AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY AND FOLK
ART NARRATIVES ABOUT TRAUMA, IDENTITY, AND
SALVATION
John F. Moe The Ohio State University American
Folklore Society Meeting Quebec, Canada October
17-20, 2007
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Pierce narrative of Gods protection Pierce
woodcarvings of signs
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Elijah Pierce, My Sayings (1970s 1984)
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Elijah Pierce, My Sayings (1970s 1984)
God spoke to me one night and said Elijah your
life is a book and everyday is a page. God gives
you a clean page ever Day. How do you give it
back. One day the book will be open and read
before your eyes. You cant deny it. You wrote
it yourself. a recording angel in heaven who
see all you do and hear all you say.
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Go tell your sister Carrie. God no me. He
walks with me and talk to me. That I am his own.
the joy we share as we tarry there. None other
(be) the word be is seemingly put in with a
marker known. You go tell your sister Carrie
this. I was sitting in a rocking chair over a
deep well and Friends would tell me to get up out
off that chair and I would laugh at them. But I
got up and I am old.
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Elijah Pierce, Gods Plenty
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E. Pierce, My Home (ca. 1940s)
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Elijah Pierce, Crucifix (1984)
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The End