A day of learning for ‘Sanitation Worker,’ students
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/4687/1/A-day-of-learning-for-Sanitation-Worker-students/Page1.html
By Shirley Jackson
Published on 03/4/2010
Soulsville Charter School students, who were part of an award-winning documentary on the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike, had a dialogue with the film’s primary character last week.
The result was a memory that all involved indicated they would not soon forget.
Elmore Nickleberry, who was a sanitation worker with the Memphis Sanitation Department in 1968, was invited to the Soulsville Charter School to help celebrate African American History Month. He was met by about 15-20 students and faculty who were part of “I AM A MAN: From Memphis, A Life Lesson,” which tell the story of his life and family from 1968 to the present.
The Mid-South Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the documentary four 2010 Emmy Awards, including “Best Historical Documentary.”
During last Friday’s (Feb. 26) wide-ranging exchange, students shared with Nickleberry their experience and excitement about making the documentary. One called it an eye-opening experience. Others said it gave them a chance to feel some of what Nickleberry and his fellow sanitation workers must have felt, and that they have learned to be more respectful to everyone.
There was talk of how young men dress with their pants hanging down; talk of relationships between men and women; and talk of how to dress when looking for a job.
Nickleberry’s advice included, “Stay out of trouble, obey your parents, stay in school and get a good education.”
The question-and-answer session yielded this:
Q: We look at you as a hero…in making the documentary, how did it make you feel?
A: It makes me feel good. I never thought I would be a part of a documentary.
Q: During the time when Dr. King was here in Memphis marching for the rights of sanitation workers and he died, how did that make you feel?
A: It made me feel real bad, ’cause he came to Memphis to march for the sanitation department. He gave his life for the sanitation department. That made me feel really bad and in some ways I don’t like to talk about it, ’cause it does something to me.
Q: While you were marching, what was going through your head?
A: I was marching, singing and talking. I had a family to feed, that’s what was going through my mind. I got hit a couple of times and knocked out. I was marching for my rights.
Q: If you’d had the chance to get a better education, what do you see (for) yourself?
A: I’d be a happy man. I would be a doctor or a lawyer. That’s why I tell children to stay in school and get that education.
Q: Do you still have your “I AM A MAN” sign?
A: Yes, I do, and I’m gonna keep it.
Q: Has your life changed since the documentary “I AM A MAN?”
A: Yes, I have been places I have never been (before.) I met people I don’t know. I have gotten different kinds of awards. I’ve won 4 Grammy’s and was nominated for 5.
At the end of the day, Nickleberry received another award. Lance Edwards, President of the Board of Indie Memphis Film Festival, presented Nickleberry with the 2009 Film Festival Award. “I AM A MAN” was number one in the Hometown Documentary category.
Soulsville Charter School students, who were part of an award-winning documentary on the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike, had a dialogue with the film’s primary character last week.
A day of learning for ‘Sanitation Worker,’ students
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| Soulsville Charter School students who joined Elmore Nickelberry in the making of the “I AM A MAN: From Memphis, A Life Lesson” documentary were eager to capture this moment with him after he was presented the 2009 Film Festival Award. (Photos by Shirley Jackson) |
Soulsville Charter School students, who were part of an award-winning documentary on the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike, had a dialogue with the film’s primary character last week.
 |
| In 1968, Memphis Sanitation Department workers went on strike seeking salaries, improved working conditions, and recognition of the their union. Elmore Nickelberry recalls getting knocked out during one of the marches. |
Elmore Nickleberry, who was a sanitation worker with the Memphis Sanitation Department in 1968, was invited to the Soulsville Charter School to help celebrate African American History Month. He was met by about 15-20 students and faculty who were part of “I AM A MAN: From Memphis, A Life Lesson,” which tell the story of his life and family from 1968 to the present.
The Mid-South Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the documentary four 2010 Emmy Awards, including “Best Historical Documentary.”
During last Friday’s (Feb. 26) wide-ranging exchange, students shared with Nickleberry their experience and excitement about making the documentary. One called it an eye-opening experience. Others said it gave them a chance to feel some of what Nickleberry and his fellow sanitation workers must have felt, and that they have learned to be more respectful to everyone.
There was talk of how young men dress with their pants hanging down; talk of relationships between men and women; and talk of how to dress when looking for a job.
Nickleberry’s advice included, “Stay out of trouble, obey your parents, stay in school and get a good education.”
The question-and-answer session yielded this:
Q: We look at you as a hero…in making the documentary, how did it make you feel?
A: It makes me feel good. I never thought I would be a part of a documentary.
Q: During the time when Dr. King was here in Memphis marching for the rights of sanitation workers and he died, how did that make you feel?
A: It made me feel real bad, ’cause he came to Memphis to march for the sanitation department. He gave his life for the sanitation department. That made me feel really bad and in some ways I don’t like to talk about it, ’cause it does something to me.
Q: While you were marching, what was going through your head?
A: I was marching, singing and talking. I had a family to feed, that’s what was going through my mind. I got hit a couple of times and knocked out. I was marching for my rights.
Q: If you’d had the chance to get a better education, what do you see (for) yourself?
A: I’d be a happy man. I would be a doctor or a lawyer. That’s why I tell children to stay in school and get that education.
Q: Do you still have your “I AM A MAN” sign?
A: Yes, I do, and I’m gonna keep it.
Q: Has your life changed since the documentary “I AM A MAN?”
A: Yes, I have been places I have never been (before.) I met people I don’t know. I have gotten different kinds of awards. I’ve won 4 Grammy’s and was nominated for 5.
At the end of the day, Nickleberry received another award. Lance Edwards, President of the Board of Indie Memphis Film Festival, presented Nickleberry with the 2009 Film Festival Award. “I AM A MAN” was number one in the Hometown Documentary category.