Tuesday began with a bus ride to
Greenville, Mississippi. As all of our bus trips were rolling classroom sessions, we watched documentaries on the Delta Chinese, Jews and Lebanese. Discussions were led delving into the life of immigrants and the culture they brought with them to the Delta.
Upon arriving in Greenville, we visited the Chinese Cemetery where
Cathy Wong discussed the impact of Delta Chinese. Across the street from the Chinese Cemetery was a black cemetery which we also toured. Notable in the cemetery is the grave of
Holt Collier, former slave and wilderness guide to the likes of Teddy Roosevelt.After a discussion of Jews in Greenville, by Benji Nelken at the Jewish Temple, we toured the museum at the temple and the adjacent 1927 Flood Museum.
After lunch we were treated to a discussion of the religious and cultural history of the Delta by
Charles Reagan Wilson. Mr. Wilson focused on the split of the Baptist Church over the issue of slavery in the south. He also discussed the life and impact of Fannie Lou Hammer on the Civil Rights Movement.
The evening concluded with a performance and discussion of the Blues by
Bill Abel. His collection of homemade guitars, performing skills and knowledge of the history of the Blues entertained and enlightened.
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| Greenville Chinese Cemetery |
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| Lee Aylward and Cathy Wong |
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| Tombstone of Holt Collier |
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| Group picture at the Jewish Temple |
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| Bill Abel preforming with one of his cigar guitars |
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