Using Oral History as a Vehicle for Studying Ourselves and Contemporary History

By the Grade 8 Ditmas IS 62- Principal’s Class 850 Barry Kevorkian, Principal

The Dark Side of the Truth

Using Oral History as a Vehicle for Studying Ourselves and Contemporary History

Ditmas IS 62- Principal’s Class 850

Barry Kevorkian, Principal

We, the Students- Writing Institute Press

Michael Downes, Law Studies Instructor Dr. Rose Reissman, Literacy Consultant David Liotta, Videographer Jesus O. Beristain, Book Designer Joey Leone, Manuscript Preparation

Student Editorial Leadership Team

Jankheri Duke Morsheda Kabir

Art Coordinator: William Solomon 850 Artists: Amy Con, Bibi Morium, Giorgi Gogilashvili, Jankheri Duke, Joshua Chery, Rexford Goldblum, Robine Jean Pierre 

Art Support

Julna Dorismond 805 Namra Khan 805 Sabrina Pierre 805 Yesinia Mendoza 805

We, The Students Amy Con Anisur Rahman April Snape Bibi Morium Briana Creese Bryan Sanchez Cayla Turner Damali McDonald Desean Phillip Destiny Perez Edina Abuqattam Gerald Simon Giorgi Gogilashvili Jannkheri Duke Joseph Chaudhary

Joshua Chery Morsheda Kabir Mudassar Hussain Osamah Bhatti Rehma Saleem Rexford Goldbaum Robine Jean Pierre Rosario Mendoza Sabrina Armoogan Sason Mardukhayev Shammy Juerakhan Tseghe Simpson Usman Ali Vanessa Martinez William Solomon Zaira Khan

Contributors

Team Work

Table of Contents

Foreword Dr. Steve Zeitlin, Founder CityLore

Chapter 1 We, the Middle School Students- Oral Historians

Chapter 2 Studs Terkel , Writings Inspired by The Good War-Oral history of World War II

Chapter 3 The Living Proof -The Holocaust Happened- Rae Kaner, Yehudah Lindenblatt, John Ranz and Hannah Rigler- Oral histories - Conversations with Survivors

Chapter 4 Words of War- War of Words- Interview with Valerie Murdock

Chapter 5 Herman Baron III- Poetry as Portal for Oral History

Chapter 6 Richard Francis Downes-Up Close and Personal- Mr. Michael Downes’s Oral History Tribute to his dad

Afterword Bibi Morium- 850 Student- Founding Team Member Living Proof- Ditmas Oral History Center

Resources

Foreword

Ever since I was in high school, I have loved listening to the stories of family and friends, and those around me. That inspired me to embark on a lifelong mission to collect oral histories, create books, exhibits, films and public programs highlighting the histories and artistry of everyday people.

The contributors to this work, middle school students at IS 62 Ditmas, are already film makers, authors and oral historians. They have begun to explore Studs Terkel, record their own oral histories and develop multimedia presentations.

I am in awe of some of the poetry, narratives and engagement with oral history this work demonstrates.

I welcome you as the next generation of listeners and writers.

Steve Zeitlin Founding Director City Lore

Illustration made by William Solomon 850

OUR OWN ORAL HISTORY –

As per our training by Dr. Reissman, we conducted interviews and extracted

from them key quotes.

A Lifetime of Loss

I interviewed my mom.

Bangladesh was fighting for its independence from Pakistan, when she was a

girl. My mom lost one family member in the war. She said that the soldiers

would take little babies to stomp them to death. One of her relatives died while

having tea at a diner. Soldiers were always patrolling the streets. There was

always the possibility of death.

Quotes:

They lined up all the men. Using machine guns, they killed all 25 men, in four

seconds. The consequences of those four seconds of shooting were a lifetime of

loss. Death was always looming in the air. When we won, I could walk in the

streets without fear.

Anisur Rahman 850

1. We, the Middle School Student Oral Historians-

The Opportunity to Work

Q. Your opinion about war?

A. Wars should have reasons behind the true meaning of violence.

Q. Have you ever witnessed or experienced a war?

A. Yes, I have. I was a young, handsome soldier back in the day around the

1930’s.

Q. Did the war experience affect you?

A. Yes, I did experience a great affect. I guess if I never experienced war, I

wouldn’t be the person I am today. When you go through a war, it changes your

life physically and emotionally. It turns you into a different person in a positive

or negative way.

From my perspective as a teen oral historian:

My grandfather became the father of five beautiful children. The five children

had their children. Our grandfather became the patriarch of our family.

Even though is a translation of what he said to me, I was able to put the pieces

together and understand what he meant. He told me that he had made mistakes.

Then he said that if one works hard, everything one wishes, can be achieved. For

my grandfather, the opportunity to work, was the greatest gift one could get.

Morsheda Kabir 850

Illustration made by William Solomon 850. This is a graphic comment on Bob Porcols oral history of Folk City. This was a restaurant.

Malik’s Vietnam

My cousin Malik was in the Vietnam War: “I saw one of the soldiers on the

ground and he looked like a slice of pizza.”

He told my mom that everyday he would have a flashback of the blood, the gun

shots and everything that happened that day. He said it was very depressing

after the war: “Every night I go to sleep, I would wake up scared.”

Every time you close your eyes what do you see/remember about the war?

Malik: “When I close my eyes, all I see are my soldiers dead on the ground and

blood everywhere. I can hear gunshots going everywhere. I can hear my partner

screaming my name calling for help. It was terrifying.”

How has this war left you?

Malik: “Since I was in that war, I worry that this is going to happen again to me,

I still feel I’m in the war, but I will never forget what I had to go through during

the Vietnam War. For me, the war never ended.”

Amy Con 850

Interview with my Dad

I interviewed my dad, asked him whether he had fought in a war. He said no, I

had been in a war, he wouldn’t tell anyone anything about it. He said that war is

a bad thing, because people are fighting for no reason. He also said that war is

destroying the world little by little. It is affecting the United States government

more than anything. War is deadly. We can’t stop war, once it starts.

Quote 1 -War includes people fighting for no reason.

Quote 2 -War is destroying the world little by little.

Quote 3 War can not be stopped when it starts.

Usman Ali 850

Interviewing David Turner-my father

David Turner

I was a marine based in Okinawa, Japan. My base was in North Carolina at

Camp Lejune. I almost had to go to Iran in 1979 though. I was getting ready to

go because that was when Iran was threatening the United States. Besides that, I

loved playing war games with different N.A.T.O. countries such as Germany,

Denmark, United Kingdom and Sweden.

Cayla Turner 850

My Father’s Take on War

What is your take on war

I really don’t believe in war even if I was in the war. War guarantees that blood

will be shed and lives will be taken.

Did you ever fight in a war?

Yes. I will never talk about the experience.

What would were the effects of experience?

Yes. I got shot in my knee and chest. War can go both ways. War is deadly. War

can destroy peoples lives

Sean Phillip 850

Interviewing my father

I interviewed my parents about whether their lives have been affected by war.

My dad said that my great-great-great grandfather fought in the Mexican Ameri-

can war. He survived. He said that my great grandfather got many medals, even

though their country was devastated by the war. He said “He was proud to be a

Mexican. Your grandpa was a brave, brave person.”

I felt proud of my grandfather as well.

My fathers key quotes:

“Living life is the best revenge.”

“War goes both ways.”

“Is war a sin or is war a good deed?”

Gerald Simon 850

2. Learning from the Master Oral Historian –Studs Terkel-Our imaginative responses to study of his oral histories in The Good War, Studs Terkel’s Pulitzer Prize Award Winning History of World War II

The Good War- Inspired narratives- Fictions or perhaps our uncovering of the truth, We read two perspectives on the death of Kevin- one by Joe, his pal who survived D Day and one by his widow who married the surviving soldier, Joe. Ironically, Rosemary, the widow met her second husband Joe Hanley, when he visited her to share her first husband Kevin’s last moments before Kevin died on the battlefield.

Kevin’s Last Thoughts- Interior Monologue

Here we are, going into a battle. I didn’t really like the idea of war. I believe

thing can be solved without violence, but maybe not. This was going to be a big

battle. I knew it was. I’m hoping I’ll make it out alive; I have a wife and kid to

think about. I have to make it out alive. The orders were given. We are running

into the battlefield. I’m hearing hundreds of gunshots and bombs go off her and

there. I hear someone shout my name…

Book cover of “The Good War: An Oral History of World War II by Studs Terkel

Studs Terkel 1912—2008

I think. I’m hearing them shout: “Kevin! Kevin!” But before I know who it is,

something lands next to me-a bomb. I try to run as fast as I could, but it’s too

late The bomb explodes, at least half of my body hurt, I can see a puddle of

blood beginning to surround me as I lie on the ground. I hear the shouts again

“Kevin! Kevin!” It’s a good friend of mine. He rushes to me and picks me up. I’m

not going to make it, I’m loosing too much blood. I look up at my friend. “Tell

my wife and kid I love them” is all I say.

Vanessa Martinez 850

Illustration made by William Solomon 850

One of the recorded oral histories, Studs Terkel took for use in the Good War was that of a Japanese American who because of Pearl Harbor wound up in a few internment camps. As part of his careful recording of this history, Studs Terkel learned about the Japanese cultural value of Gaman- perseverance-

Gaman

Take what’s coming,

Don’t react.

My mother says that

As if it’s a fact

She says because we’re Japanese

This rule can get us through

Life with ease,

But I don’t think

It’s an easy task,

Why not fight back?

I curiously ask.

She sits me down

And says to me -

Without your impulse, you will see

That soon enough

Your issues, confusion

In no time,

Will find their solution.

I try my best

To see what she means,

Now I get it.

It’s easy it seems.

She learned it from her

Parents back in Japan.

It’s what we like to call -

Gaman.

Robine Jean Pierre 850

Gaman Chapter 2

Gaman means to persevere.

Take what’s coming, don’t react.

No matter how severe.

Now that was a fact.

Pushed into a truck

Forced to pack up.

I guess it was my luck.

But of course, no one gave it a *******.

I mean, sleep in a barrack.

Without any parents.

All is left is havoc .

Life was just tragic.

Would I live for another day?

This was USA.

I thought all fears were to go away

And live happily every day.

To be or not to be,

The only thing I wanted now

Was to be free

Only question was how to

Lose people, lose love

Lose faith in this land

Keep the for the One up above-

But still, I stand.

Keep my head held high-

Take what’s coming-

Whether I live or die.

I’ll keep hope strumming.

Bibi Morium 850

Gone

Our innocence is lost

Our love fades away

Mother is slowly passing,

Dad’s shadows face the concrete walls.

Bathrooms, dirty and embarrassing.

Can’t believe what I’m seeing,

Being strong for the little sis.

Even at times I can’t resist.

Everything’s gone,

Dad came here for a better life

We need to “gaman”

We need to fight

If we don’t

It’s all gone…

Morsheda Kabir 850

The Dark Edge of the Grand Old Flag

Why do I fight?

I know what it’s like…

Trying to prove yourself.

It gets in your mind.

All the time,

It won’t get out!

We fight and fight,

What do you

Get out of it?

In the end,

I understand trying

To be American.

I was born in another country.

Came here when I was two months old.

Been raised here, worked hard.

Don’t you think I’m American?

Why do I have to fight?

Morsheda Kabir 850

Internment Camp

It was Dec 7, 1941. I came to Los Angeles in 1904. I had a mother, a father and a

sister.

One day I lost my father The next day my mother was gone My father was in

Montana’s Prison Zoo. My mother had left earth My sister was 15 years old. I

was 12 years old months later. My father came in an army truck . We were

finally together. I was drafted into the army. While my father and sister are in a

Internment camp They were hoping the war would end. Later on, I came back to

them.

I was happy to be back. We were going to Los Angeles to be an American Family

or as American Family as we could be, post internment camp.

Amy Con 850

Illustration made by Joshua Cherry 850

Almost a year

It was almost a year. He came to us. We went to him. My sister and I were relieved. Father was safe. He returned to us. It took almost a year. But finally we’re together.

Father’s Perspective of his Arrest after Pearl Harbor Attack

What did I do?

I thought to myself as I was led from the beautiful wedding, by the expressionless officers. I was more lost than ever. I didn’t even know where I was, along with a few others. A prison, but why? As I walked through the doors after changing into their clothes and being shackled, I saw the shame on my wife’s face. It tore my heart in two to know I had humiliated her so deeply

Tseghe Simpson 850

Illustration made by William Solomon 850

Triangle- Death did not part them

Rosemary’s Perspective

Feeling so alone

When I heard the news,

My husband is dead.

Who do I have to love?

To enjoy my life with . . .

Kevin, the guy I had a daughter with, is dead

I cried so much.

But Joe Hanley was there for me,

I needed someone.

I needed him.

I loved him.

He helped me get through this

I love Joe.

I loved Kevin.

Amy Con 850

Illustration made by Robine Jean Pierre 850

Kevin’s point of view

Fighting was easy. But I was afraid everything that I would die. Never see my

wife and child again. I hoped that at least someone I knew and trusted would

take care of them. I didn’t think I would die here now. However, I was wrong,

I died in my friend’s arms. He is a nice man. I’m sure he’ll write my wife.

Hopefully, he’ll at least help and provide for her. What I never thought was that

he’d marry her. She was my wife! I guess you can’t stay lonely for long. At least

now, she’s happy, they all are.

Edina AbuQattam 850

Triangle

Joe’s Perspective

How she must have felt, to find out he’s dead.

All those memories they cherished.

All those things left unsaid.

In one moment gone,

Leaving without a warning,

Left her with nothing,

Except sorrow and mourning.

I tried to forget, this dear friend of mine.

But he wouldn’t go away

So I turned to alcohol and wine,

But something weird happened . . .

What it was, I wasn’t sure

Then slowly I realized

I was in love with her

Rehma Saleem 850

Triangle- Death Did not Part Them

Hey, your husband died a while ago

Got shot down and I made it a joke

Oh, I just noticed you’re single

Want to get married? I’ll buy you some Pringles!

Don’t worry, Kevin’s dead.

He can’t do anything to you

“Tell my wife, I love her” he said nicely

I’m nice enough to do him the favor, so don’t be feisty

So while I slide this ring down your finger

All you need to say is “yes” to forget about everything

Make sure you don’t say bad things like

“I did the wrong thing by marrying you”

Just as I did to Kevin, I’ll make a joke out of you too!

Well it’s easy to forget about people

I do it all the time.

Now it’s your turn to forget.

As for me, I really need to end this rhyme.

Bryan Sanchez 850

Illustration made by Rosario Mendoza 850

Illustration made by Robine Jean Pierre 850

Joe’s perspective of the triangle

I never knew . . .

I never knew, I was going to be this person.

Thought I knew everything, when I knew nothing.

Thought I was just some cartoonist, enjoying life.

When the country needed me the most in World War II,

I stood up and joined the army.

I gained nothing, what people didn’t expect.

I walked away with pain, that burned my heart,

I walked away with my friend dead in my arms.

I walked away with his wife’s love,

Four years after his death.

I did not come back as the same person;

I will never be the person.

Rest in peace my dear friend, and rest in peace to the old me.

Anonymous

Joe Hanley

If Kevin could see this from heaven . . .

I can just imagine it now, Kevin looking down from heaven

Viewing a man who, was his friend, live his life.

Seeing him getting married to the lady who once was his wife.

Then hearing his son call Joe “daddy.”

Witnessing Joe have kids with his wife.

Perhaps initially, Kevin would be extremely enraged.

But after hearing Joe’s interview, he would feel happy, to see that his

“used to be “wife is well protected.

Shammy Jerakhan 850

Rosemary

The steam of the teapot blew through the pot.

I wonder how Joe is doing hopefully well.

How ironic this is, my Love talking about my Love.

I remember the first few weeks, it was

Pleasant to have an acquaintance after the news.

He was a thin cover over the gaping hole in my heart.

Anonymous

Kevin’s Perspective

Duck and Cover

This can’t be happening . . .

My consciousness slipping from me . . .

Like my Blood,

Hot and rich and red I felt it

Then he appeared

At once I knew all would be alright

My death would be a sacrifice

Before I die, my love goes to my wife and child

And… my best friend.

Tseghe Simpson 850

Reflections on the Triangle – Rosemary, Joe and Kevin-Forever

Joined

Joe is a man who at the age of twenty was care free and had no strings attached

to his life as a single man. He joined the army and was a master when it came to

fire arms. His favorite was the machine gun. Although his gunman status was

high, he never fought in hand to hand combat.

In the waning days of the war, he and his friend Kevin were still on duty. Now

they had to fight hand to hand. It was raining bullets. At one point, Joe and

Kevin went into different directions. Then Kevin was shot.

This was no joke. Kevin was dead. Kevin was very much missed by his wife,

Rosemary. When Joe came back from the war, he started to meet with Kevin’s

wife to help her move on with her life.

Ironically, they had chemistry and got married. Joe became a heavy drinker.

Things didn’t go well for him. Joe wanted to just be a quiet cartoonist, but

instead wound up earning a living as bartender and a bookie. However, through

the help of Rosemary he got better. Although he has a great family and life, he

can’t help but think, why me and not Kevin. I was just a nobody. I had no

responsibilities. Nobody would’ve ever missed me.

I wonder if his wife had similar mixed emotions about Kevin’s death and Joe’s

survival. I also wonder why she chose him.

William Solomon 850

Illustration made by Rexford Goldbaum 850

Love Triangle

Rosemary was probably thinking about Kevin, While she was making coffee. She

was probably thinking about the moment when she found out he’s dead. Studs

Terkel probably deliberately didn’t want Rosemary and Joe to be interviewed

together because he thought that they probably wouldn’t be comfortable talking

about the war and Kevin together. Some things that they wanted to say, couldn’t

be said, because they wouldn’t want to talk about it to each other.

Rosemary was only 22 years old when she married Kevin (he died in 1944, met

him in 1942), Joe came back in 1946 to see Rosemary’s daughter (she married

him in 1949). For Rosemary who had had 3 other children with Joe, it seemed

like it was a continuation of her life

There’s a sadness in my life, losing my first husband. But then comes meeting

Joe and marrying him. We had three other children It seemed like it was a

continuation of my life.

Reader Response to Oral History-Rosemary’s Life Lesson for Us

What I think Rosemary is trying to tell us is that life never ends. When you lose

someone, you lose a piece of your heart. Especially when that person was a very

loved one. Sure, they did take a piece of her heart and life away. That part was

replaced by worry and woe. But she still had a heart, and she still had a life. All

you need now is a gentle push to move on. When that special someone passes

away, a flicker of happiness, hope and faith remains. As much as you loved your

dear departed, that person would never want to see you in pain. All you need to

do is spot that flicker of light in the dark. Once the survivor can spot that flicker

of happiness, hope and faith, it’s okay to keep on walking. People can pass away,

things might go wrong, and nothing’s the same. Yet for survivors like Rosemary

and all of us, life goes on.

Bibi Morium 850

A continuation of life

In-laws encouraged Rosemary to get out and have fun Dec 15 – every time

Kevin’s death anniversary occurred. Once married to Joe. The surviving pal of

Kevin, Rosemary secretly felt, I did not dodo the right thing by marrying him.

Maybe I bring the war to him. Maybe if Joe had married someone else, it might

have left him. How could we have 3 great kids and yet still feel this ongoing

pain? Life moves on.

Rehma Saleem 850

Rosemary

Rosemary was probably thinking about what Joe was saying to the interviewer.

Rosemary was also wondering why they were interviewing Joe and her

separately. She was probably sad and thinking about her first husband Kevin.

She was probably thinking about the good times she was with Kevin. If Kevin

were still alive, he would probably be happy for them. He would be happy that

Rosemary remain frozen by his death. She moved on to be happy. He would

probably be happy that Rosemary married Joe because he probably thought Joe

was a nice person. He would be happy for his daughter to have a father to help

the family.

Amy Con 850

Love Can Not Be Controlled

Rosemary was probably feeling a little uncomfortable. When Studs and Joe

were talking about Kevin. As she brewed coffee in the kitchen, memories of

past happy times with Kevin flooded her heart. In spite of these memories of

Joe, she even thought how she was blessed to have Joe, Why did she fall in love

with Joe? Love is not something that can be controlled.

Morsheda Kabir 850

Joe’s Perspective

Why did it happen to him?

He has someone to live for.

He had a child and a wife.

All I had were the hairs on my back,

He didn’t deserve to die.

Why didn’t they take me?

Someone loved him.

Nobody loved me.

Amy Con 850

Why

Why did it happen to him?

Why did it end up like this?

Why did it happen to a guy with a family?

Why?

Do bad things always happen to good people

Can someone answer these questions???

Amy Con 850

Pondering Kevin’s loss- that of a father and husband

Kevin

If Kevin were alive,

I don’t think he would despise

Joe for picking up his life,

And marrying his wife.

If Kevin were there,

Joe’s life would not compare,

To the life he has today,

In any single way.

But Kevin isn’t around.

Though this might be profound

That Rosemary is with Joe.

Their hearts are filled with woe.

Kevin gave his life,

No returning to his wife

Even though Joe filled his spot,

The memory of Kevin was not forgot

Cayla Turner 850

Illustration made by William Solomon 850

3. Living Proof –The Holocaust Happened- Our own interviews with Holocaust survivors- Yehudah Lindenblatt, Rae Kaner, John Ranz, and Hannah Sara Rigler

Look Up to the Sky

I look up to the sky.

I wonder why

Is this happening to me?

If I were to shed a tear,

would you hear

my crying soul?

I tell a story untold.

Why do you hurt us?

We were chosen for greatness,

yet we were hurt for

no reason.

I ask why

even though it’s

a question only

few can answer

and none can say-

I look to the sky

for my unanswered

prayer .

From the interview with Yehudah Lindenblatt a survivor of the Budapest Ghetto

Bethany Beckles-. Class 805

(who was part of the Living Proof- award winning Video/Writing team)

Yehudah Lindenblatt as a child.

Unheard Shades-Ghosts of those exterminated

Eyes closed.

Pain felt.

No words.

The feelings of unspoken people.

Tears shed.

Sorrow filled hearts.

Lives gone.

The unspoken shades of people who were.

Close your eyes and see-

What they saw.

Had we lived one more day,

Our unspoken words

would have been heard.

Until that day

a story untold from words not said

Bethany Beckles 850

Yehudah Lindenblatt

One for all

All for one

Inspired by Joseph Shultz video screened in Mr. Downes Class

To see them held,

Treated like trash,

I couldn’t just stand there.

I acted fast.

Thrown to the gas chambers,

Put to death,

I could gag-

How they were kept.

When it came to kill them,

I couldn’t witness their misery.

I placed down my gun.

I couldn’t bear it anymore.

Tore off my name badge.

Tore off those gleaming tags.

They rewarded slaughterers.

Persons who acted as beasts.

I cared no longer for my life.

Did not have the urge to run.

I stood there with them hand in hand.

Thinking

One for all, and all for one

Bibi Morium 850

Rae Kaner— The Living Proof Founders—Mr. Downes and Dr. Rose Reissman

John Ranz sharing his story with the Ditmas students.

Waiting for liberation.

Curled up in a corner.

Screams heard as others die,

Shuddering in fear,

No hope for life, no energy to try

I lie there waiting.

Waiting for all of it.

To be blown away.

Like when your hair will blow.

On an ordinary summer day,

The lights of those summer days,

I would see no more.

Doors shut on me.

As if not knowing how they tore,

I cried there, waiting.

Whips were uncurled.

Amanda, Sowaibah, and Bibi

Guns cocked ready to shoot.

We sat unmoving.

Passing sleepless nights.

I cared no longer for life.

No urge to run.

I watched and waited.

Waiting to be able-

To break free.

Past all boundaries,

Able to be just me.

Rip that yellow star off.

Rip away the pain.

Run through the land.

Be like all the same.

I lived and waited.

Hope left me.

Patience too.

Yet here am I to tell the story.

I came through.

Bibi Morium 850

Illustration made by Giorgi Gogilashvili 850

We first read Hannah Sara Rigler’s Testimony for Yad Va Shem and also a page of one of the British soldiers’ diaries about her rescue at the end of World War II. Hannah actually shared her memories with us in person at our school, plus reacted to our art and poetry. She was the fourth Holocaust survivor we interviewed this year.

Sarah Hannah Rigler

“The Testimony”

My mother left behind- Tears in my eyes. Hurt me so deep .

All I had left was my pride. The tears, I hide, the pain hidden deep inside

Not afraid to cry, my insides die My father is gone. Mother is going soon.

My sky is not blue, it is very dark I need the angels to protect me from the danger that larks

My life at stake, with each breathe I take I do not care, I’ve seen it all, “Who should I fear?”

All these days, feels like years I wish death; can relieve my tears.

The pain I have felt for days, which left like thousands Of heart drenching years

Tseghe Simpson 850

Sarah Hannah Rigler speaking to our oral historians.

My daughters’, my loves, they have to live. I knew they had to leave me. It tore through my heart to send them off but it had to be done. This was the only way to ensure their safety, to keep them alive. Locking down now, I’m glad I stayed back. Even though my Hannah was here with me instead of with her sister.

Sarah made it. My brave little girl survived the turmoil and carnage of war.

When the three soldiers found Sarah I was scared. But then they fed her and helped her back to health it was a miracle. My sacrifice did aid in her survival and this made me ecstatic. I wanted to tell her how proud she made me but alas I couldn’t, I knew she would feel my pride and love.

Tseghe Simpson 850

It isn’t fair, is it?

Well, that’s life or as they say.

Once can go, one can stay

There is no choice!

If even there war, you wouldn’t be the voice

It’s life, this life a TV

And somebody, put you on mute

Plus your channel had the last amount of views

Can anybody help me?

That’s what you say, but who cares?

You feel like nothing now, huh?

What about you and how you treated others?

You just want to die

But look- you are not the only one in this world.

There will always be many others

Like that little girl Sara Rigler

There will never be a second chance

You’re not cable, you can’t rewind

What’s done is done

But can you change?

Amy Con 850

One British Prisoner of War

Named Stan, he helped me, he fed me

I’m still alive, but I’m lonely, I lost my

Father and I’m pretty sure my mother and

Sister are gone too

I’m only 15 years old

And I feel so dirty

I’m so lost and I don’t know what to do

Day after day, soldiers kept helping me

They would feel me like never before

Later on, I’m still alive I don’t want to live

I want to go to heaven with my family

So we can be together again forever.

Cayla Turner 850

Illustration made by Robine Jean Pierre 850

Running and Running, to just stay alive, For if I stop, I will loose my life, Like my mother and sister, O, God Do I miss her, I think I’ll take her name As my own.

Wait, I hear something I think Someone’s coming. It’s only a British Prisoner of war. My appetite’s gone, like my sister And mom. Now I wish death would knock on my door.

Bryan Sanchez 850

Honorable Judge William Rigler, Dr. Rose Reissman, and Hanna Rigler.

4. War of the Worlds- To Soldier Forward or Not- Reflections on an oral history Study with Valerie Murdock

Game

In time,

You’ll see this crime.

It’s in yourself.

And it’s by you, yourself.

You want proof,

That you’re no goof-

But inside you see,

You’ll never ever flee.

Freedom is the cause.

But in no way, can you pause.

Illustration made by Amy Con 850

You want to save the black

And then you look back.

You laugh and crack up,

Your sad friend says what up

You say remember the crack

And he got to go wack.

You get upset and kill the man.

Then you search his bag.

And find your wife’s pic.

Then you look at your kill.

You look at your wife.

And see there is no life.

So you shoot yourself.

You did it – to yourself.

Mudasar Hussain 850

Valerie Murdock and 670

I’m not afraid to say.

I got a 9mm pocket and I got an AK.

There’s nothing you can say.

That’ll stop me from shooting this bullet your way.

You’ll never see the light of day.

I put you in a state of eternal darkness.

While bugs chew on your carcass.

After a while, killing is no longer sinning.

The sound of gunshot doesn’t have your ears ringing.

Killing becomes an addiction.

You begin to have contradiction.

From wrong and right.

You don’t have a problem, if the person in front of you, never sees light.

When a fellow soldier dies, you don’t get right.

You use it as an excuse to fulfill your indulgence.

For blood you thirst.

The 100th kill is as good as the first.

Anisar Rahnam 850

Reflections after an oral history session with Valerie Murdock,

former JAG during the Iraq War

We were asked to consider if any of us would want to join the army.

Do I?

The army, we see this as our taking a part of our country’s need, we may think

it’s the greatest thing to accomplish by helping people in need.

One of the greatest feelings in the world is feeling that you helped someone.

You also get rewards and benefits and money. But is it worth it?

You may die. You can never see your family again. You can’t say what you want.

I don’t. I would be good for the army for only one reason, in my life.

I always thought there was nothing wrong for me for asking why.

Why can’t I do it my way? I’m sorry if I don’t want to be part of this, but this is me.

My personality involves doing things my way.

Marsheda Kabir 850

Do or die

We had to run like rabbits

I was a rebel, I always marched to another drum

Sabrina Irmoogan 850

You’re in the army now?

I wouldn’t join the army because there is no guarantee that you’ll make it back from the war. You also have to act like a mindless zombie in the army, and say

“Yes” to every order you get.

I would accomplish nothing if I died during my army service.

Cayla Turner 850

Light

I see the light.

I can see it.

But only if I could move.

Only if I could move.

Why am I here

Oh, yeah, 8#@!?

I got drafted in again

First, the Vietnamese war

Now this?

On the first day,

New solders are excited

Looking at their guns.

Wanting to shoot-

But not me, not me.

I know how this feels.

There nothing government can do.

All I ever wish is to live.

Pow. . .

I got shot in the stomach,

And I can’t move.

Knowing that I will die

I wish my family will go on (without me)

I never wanted this

Why did God choose me?

Why can’t we keep peace?

Why me? Why, oh why?

Muddasar Hussain 850

Valerie Murdock in the center. Former Iraq soldier and Jag.

Love and war

Destruction, pandemonium

Is that what it comes to?

Dangerous, crucial

Only with love will I get through.

When you lose a loved one,

They rip a piece of your heart,

Taking it away from you.

Making everything fall apart,

Especially when you’ve just come back,

From a brutal and deadly war.

Things just don’t stay the same.

There isn’t love anymore.

But when you find her,

The special someone.

The one that makes you happy.

Makes your heart run.

But when that someone

Was unfortunately taken

By a deceased loved one-

Only then did my life awaken.

Pain looks through me.

Anguished blood pumps through me.

What to do? I finally break free

If love was what was needed-

What would bring happiness to his life

Why drink anymore?

I would do what was right.

I was someone different.

To be or not to be.

I was trapped before.

And than broke free of the old me.

Bibi Morium 850

Peace-Rap on

See I know I’m a player

But this just isn’t a game

But men still die all the time

Ain’t it a shame?

Always dying for the wrong cause

Just to prove you got power.

So, let’s stop!

And look back

You’ll notice, our history is whack

Only murder and war

Yet still, we want more!

What is it?

Without war, will people think this nation’s a bore?

Is killing fun?

Because, I’d rather run.

I might seem soft.

Because I don’t want to fight.

But it’s only, because I know

It just isn’t right.

So let’s make peace.

No war.

No more.

Now, I know this was deep.

But I could write rhymes like this in my sleep.

Joseph Chandhary 850

The Army Way

I guess that if I did join the army, my future would depend on the circum-

stances. I would never join the army, because I wouldn’t be able to watch bodies

being blown up right before me. Even if I were promised that college would be

paid for me, there’s always the chance that I would not make it. Then, college

would mean nothing to me. However, if I were required to join the army, I think

I am the type of person who can take orders without questioning authority. The

problem is that I’d keep all of my belligerence. deep inside. Though I’d keep my

comments to myself, being in this situation would do damage to my mental

health. The stress would kill me. I’d be driven to be an emotional wreck. No

doubt, the “Army Way” wouldn’t be right for me.

Robine Jean Pierre 850

This thing called “War”

This thing called war.

It has changed lives for many people.

It changed the way they see things.

The way they see life.

This thing called war.

Can really hurt a person.

From inside to outside

Why is that???

Why does this thing make

Us feel this way?

Amy Con 850

War

What has war offered me, but love and pain

What was the gain, for that should I be ashamed?

War took my love. Pain was the gain.

Then the Lord above sent me another,

He was like a brother, to my love that was lost, long gone.

“See you soon,” were the parting words from my heart.

Who knew this war would split us apart?

Who knew what was in store, when your best friend came knocking on my door

Intruding into my, my home, my space, my heart, our place.

Everything was at a fast pace.

In a race, I finish last, continuously having flashbacks of my past.

I see your face, the guilt I can take.

War has sent me pain, the gain was love.

No war, no bombs, just peace.

It’ll be the death of me.

Can’t you see?

Guilty once, guilty twice, I can’t take it.

This is not nice, my love.

I’ll be there very far, but in your heart I am always near, my dear.

April Snape 850

War is a game

It gets played different ways

It can last years

Or just a couple of days.

It’s considered a sin,

Fighting for land,

But fighting for honor,

Is God’s demand-

Many things can happen-

It’s a game for survival.

No peace is desired.

Everyone is in denial.

Nothing will be the same.

Once it starts.

The punishment of the human race begins.

The death of the brain

The death of the heart

The beginning of all sins

The light of the planet

Slowly just dims

Sammy Mardukhayev 850

War

It isn’t a bore.

Hard to the core.

You can’t be soft.

You have to keep going,

Even if you are lazy,

I know it sounds crazy.

But you have to keep rowing,

Since it’s like a boat,

And you don’t want to drown.

You can’t act like a clown,

Must protect your country.

Take the stress

Make sure, I can see you’re a mess.

Once the weakness is seen,

No one is going to fight clean.

Tricks turn dirty.

I know this rhyme’s getting wordy.

So sorry for this

I just want to get the point across-

“Life is bliss”

We don’t need death.

But we see it right to left.

We’ve got to stop this war .

It don’t make sense.

Not even a little bit!!

Joseph Chaudhary 850

Who?

Who are we to judge someone that

Fought for their country and life?

Who are we to ask if they’re alright?

When clearly they’re not.

What’s the point in making them

Feel bad once more?

Who are we to doubt, that a women

Can’t join the army?

Did they feel right when they

Sexually harassed her?

Took advantage of her?

Called her pathetic?

You know what she worked really hard

Became a captain

And came out on the top?

Those men became

The pathetic ones.

Dedicated to Mrs. Valerie Murdock

Morsheda Kabir 850

War

It’s not a video game.

It’s not the game.

It’s pushing yourself.

And thinking everything is your last-

It can change you completely.

It’s like a knife in your back forever.

You can see people dying right in front of you

And you think what if I’m next.

You want to change everything to go back in time

You know what’s done is done.

It can’t change

And you’ll never be the same.

Mudasser Hussain 850

War

The war

Can change the lives for many people.

It can make you become

a different person.

It changes the way you

Think… speak… and act.

It can change you,

Emotionally, mentally and physically.

It kills you on the inside

And changes who you are

Forever.

Amy Con 850

5. Oral History- Backward Design- Using the Poetry of Herman Baron III to develop oral history poetic responses

Herman Baron III- Backward Design Oral History-

These poems were inspired by the poetry of Herman Baron III

Can’t

He’s a father who regrets the things he’s done on the streets.

Who wanted to do things for his daughter.

It seems to me, he is a drug dealer that just wanted some money

for his daughter’s college fund.

He feels that since he’s the man, it was his job to do this.

Even if he’s distant, he’ll find a way.

I can’t do it.

I can’t be saved.

I tried and tried

To save myself

With the bible.

I fall . . .

Fall

Hell will take over me

The worst part is

I “ain’t “ dead

Hell on Earth

Can’t be saved

Morsheda Kabir 850

Daughter

Left daughter.

Loves daughter.

Still wants to help daughter.

Misses daughter.

Wishes for daughter.

Still going to fight for daughter

And he knows

And she maybe knows

But I know, because he said so

Morsheda Khabir 850

Herman Baron III

Really missing my daughter,

Just wish I could support her.

But now we’re separated,

Not the family that we once were.

Now I’m stuck in jail,

Using her college money as bail.

I tried to stay out of trouble,

But I know that my plan failed

I let my little bro down too

Said I would be there through and through

But now I’m kept in this jailhouse cell,

And the thought of him gives me the blues.

Now I wait till I’m set free,

And on that day I guarantee.

To make sure that I undo my wrongs,

Starting with my family.

Cayla Turner 850

The same

You, Mr. Baron, are very true

My father, I wish he could be just like you

The thought of him makes my face blue

Oh-how I wish he were like you.

If only he knew the things that you do.

To be there for your baby girl.

It would make his head whirl.

A little girl I am no more-

So watch this little girl walk out the door.

She will be a star, going far-

Out of your life to be someone’s wife

April Ruby Diamond Snape 850

Illustration made by Robine Jean Pierre 850

The Worst Herman Baron

(Marsheida is using lingo used by the adult poet Herman Baron)

Don’t want the worst for ya bro

You know I love you for sure

Can’t stand to loose you

I can’t have you die

It’ll blow my damn mind

I’m sorry for what I’ve done

Boy don’t be like your older brother

Please bro…

Please bro…

No more…

Morsheda Kabir 850

What it can take

The planner of his demise.

The path unfortunately customized.

His fault, his wrong doing.

But not his intentions.

The regret he feels.

Making sure his is real

His character made of steel

To understand his mistakes

And what it can take

Anonymous

The Same

Dear, Mr. Baron III

How my heart aches in pain

Reading your poems, chills run through my veins

Tears to my eyes, reading your poems, it can’t be a lie

If I had a dad like you, I would go to heaven and die

My dad doesn’t care, I can tell by the way he stares

He has no love for his own flesh, his own blood

Tears wash over me as if I was in a flood

He was never there, to wipe my tears, my birthday years

The world joy we never shared

And we will never this year, the next or the future

The torture on my heart, I can not take

The pressure on my heart will cause it to break

So hurt inside I cannot bear to see your face

My heart always beating like I’m in a race

Memories playing a video tape

April Ruby Diamond Snape 850

6. Up Close and Personal- Mr. Downes’s beloved dad- Richard Francis Downes

Richard Downes-Father of Michael Downes

Richard Francis Downes

I got drafted to France for D-Day.

I was in training at Shelby Mississippi.

I was in the Battle of Bulge.

Four years in Europe.

Till I can go home.

From 1941-1945.

Wait… I got hit!!!

But I have a feeling.

It’s a friendly fire.

Later on-

I was awarded the

“Purple Heart.”

Amy Con 850

Watching from a shining star

Watching from a shining star,

Son, I wonder where you are.

Here I’m waiting, up so high-

Until you’re ready to reach the sky

I hear your voice, you speak of me,

You teach them of my history.

It makes a smile form on my face.

I sit with God, watching from space.

Watching from a shining star.

Now I’ve found just where you are.

There’s no need now to sit and sigh.

I know my story will not die.

Robine Jean-Pierre 850

Military insignias of Richard Francis Downs.

7. After word

Advice for 21st Century Oral Historians

You know how it feels when you have the sense that you are somewhere you

don’t want to be, at a particular point in time? It’s a feeling I had the very first

day this program started. An oral history program for teens? What on earth

were we going to be doing? This was just going to be a waste of time. That time

would have been better spent going online, like any normal teen. Except that

through this program, I have become just the opposite of any normal teen. I’m a

teen who cares. I’m a teen who has made history.

As an oral historian and a reader of oral history, I’ve made a mark, not only for

people, but for my life. I changed it completely. I am not talking about “change”

as it is shown in the movies. That change is all made up. This is real change.

I have interviewed people, who survived the Holocaust. They shared their real

experiences as survivors of the Holocaust. I breathed in these real experiences.

Through oral history in this year 2010, I have been able to “feel” what it was like

to survive during that time.

The journey I and other 850 students took to create both a video —The Living

Proof –The Holocaust Happened and this book including other oral history

interviews and writings; was a challenging one. It was also enjoyable. In the

process, we made new friends. We learned much about history, others and

ourselves. We went past boundaries. We went to places, we had never visited.

This has been a journey, we loved making. We reenacted and wrote about some

of the stories shared. In the future, we will share some of these stories.

Bibi Morium

Reaching out to the current generation of leaders:

As an educator and literacy support for this project, it has a joy to work with

these spirited, caring and responsive students. Their talents, grasp of language

formats, and their deep emotional connection to the various historical eras/

personalities, demonstrates that oral history is a powerful vehicle for engaging

21st century citizens.

Creating the film that accompanied this project and crafting this art rich book,

allowed these teens to produce products that richly reflected the transformative

power of their dialogue with those who had experienced adult life in all its

vicissitudes.

They will share these histories, generate others, and make their own.

Congratulations.

Dr. Rose Cherie Reissman President of New York City Association of Teachers of English LEAP Law, Education, and Partnership Consultant

John Ranz. (2003) Inhumanity-Death March to Buchenwald. New York: Authors.Com.

Hannah Rigler. (2006). 10 British Soldiers Rescued Me. New York: Jay Publishers.

Studs Terkel. (1997). The Good War. New York: New Press.

Steve Zeitlin. (1991). City Play. New York: Scribner.

Check out: Ditmas Award Winning Living Proof documentary- The Holocaust Happened

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qCku3w1sAs

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFelc8Ftq-8&feature=related

Resources:

We, the Students- Writing Institute Press