Featured Folklorist
Wanda G Addison, PhD
In this episode I speak with February’s African American Folklorist of the month is Wanda G. Addison. Addison, an African American folklorist, and Professor of English sat on the board of the American Folklore Society, and through storytelling, social groups and community practices use her folklore experience for cultural sustainability and preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Coming from an English Literature background, on the road to her Ph.D., Addison took a Pro Seminar class in Folklore. One of her assignments focused on oral literature, specifically documenting the voice and story of women. This sparked a calling in her that led to a long and achieved trajectory of researching, documenting and teaching. That experience gave her the purpose and passion to make sure women’s voices who went unheard, would be heard clearly, and directly from the source. Addison’s understanding of the process of the folklorist in regards to the approach taken when allowed into the world, culture and kinfolk traditions of a people are what separates her from many. The care and poise she possesses grants her the ability to receive the story of the folk, rather than interpret it based on preconceived notions. This attribute reflects Addison’s sincere drive to document and preserve the personal narrative of African American women, specifically over 50. In my interview with Addison, she explains her mission and why the story of women in that age group needs to have representation and preservation of their voice and story.American Folklore Society Wanda Addison Twitter – @onesungirlSign up to receive The African American Folklorist Newspaper Purchase Merch http://jackdappabluesstore.online/
