About three years ago now, Julie Delaney from CBC contacted me to ask if I would be interested in participating in the Human Library Project - a partnership between the Ottawa Public Library and CBC that brings ‘human books’ together and invites the public to ‘check them out’ for 20mins. I’d already heard of the project and was honoured to have been chosen to participate as the “High School Teacher” book. Based on a lengthy interview with her, my profile was created, some promos were generated and then they were run on several of CBC’s shows to develop interest. While I made my way to the Barrhaven branch on the morning of the event, I was listening to CBC. Lost in thought, I didn't even notice at first that the voice I was hearing was mine. My promo interview was playing....
I was so nervous the day of. What if no one ‘checked me out'? The first thing that happened when I walked into Barrhaven branch made me just cry! Not sad tears. 'Made it' kinda tears. 'Did it' kinda tears. 'An educator I respect calling for me' kinda tears.
I arrived early and one of the librarians came up to me to say that she had a message for me and then she started to cry. She said the person on the other end of the phone told her all about me and she felt she knew me now. She told me the story….Mr. Patrick Mason, my now retired colleague! He was listening that morning too. He was there when I first arrived at that school in 1998. He was a veteran in the social science dept and he helped me so much those first few years. They use to say that you didn't have to start with Coddett or Mason but you sure had to finish with their classes. He heard my interview and he called to say how proud he was of me.
I got myself together after crying with the librarian (technically the first person to 'check me out'), took my seat and waited to see who stepped to the empty chair - a teenager, a teacher candidate doing her practicum, a retired teacher, a curious woman. Then there was the man in the motorized wheelchair, blind, non verbal. Through his assistant/friend, he asked me to describe to him what being black was. He said he can’t see it so could I describe it for him. I was like, Holy Shit! How am I going to do that in 20mins? I don’t remember the details of the interaction except that he left the conversation feeling satisfied with my response. What an awesome opportunity that was because I really had to look for myself and then find a way!
That’s what the Human Library Project provided, a chance to be open to whatever. Not just for the person who comes but for the Human Books too. I was a book for two years and this year I was retired from the collection. Being part of this has allowed me to eat away even more at the silo I’ve worked and lived in for so long.
But it doesn't end there....
Just as we were getting to the end of our winter deep freeze, I got an email from Executive Producer
Adele Cardamone-Martel. Along with Director Chris Mullington, they were inviting me to be part of a documentary featuring a handful of Human Books. I was given a time and date to come to the studio, make sure that I was wearing something bright that would show up etc. I've been part of a documentary before so I felt comfortable which meant that I'm about to be my most authentic self (within reason). I took my seat on the stool that was in front of a black backdrop. There was just me, Chris, a cameraman, and lots lights. He asked me lots of questions like we were doing an interview but it was kinda just a conversation. Chris seemed genuinely curious with some of my responses. Not sure how much time passed and once he was complete, I felt good about having released the story to him and the universe. Whatever he created with it, it was going to be cool. On a morning in June, Chris contacted me again because he wanted to come to my school to get some shots of me in the classroom. At that time, he also requested some pictures of my growing up. Oh! Oh! A little known Adrienne Fact - my first career ambition was to be a photographer. In grade four, with the help of my dad, I made a camera for the science fair. On the flip side of that, I've never liked being in pictures. I've heard people remark that it's impossible, until recently, to even find a picture with me in it. This may be worse though because he wanted pictures that I haven't even looked at in years. I had to tumble up my whole house to fulfill the request. What an awesome journey down memory lane. My mom and I sat out back laughing and reminiscing over some great memories. Some of those early pictures of Angela and I had me get why we are so close now because we were close then. Seeing my parents as young adults, my dad in his 'Richard Roundtree' years, my fashionista momma. It was ALL good! Looking at myself, I saw the life I've lived for 48 yrs and how much of it has always been in alignment with my vision even when I had no clue! I saw ALL that I have been to these communities, what I've contributed and ALL that it's contributed to my personal growth and development. I AM a true child of these communities! Even how I look which isn't really different. Yes, there were the Jheri Curl years. I've had locs for so long, I didn't even remember what I looked like without them. Almost no one who knows me now, knows me without locs! Looking at my parents wedding photos I was like "Dayam, my parents were two good looking people!" Good gene pool! LOL! I saw who my parents were as young adults. How much our home was a 'must drop by' location for so many people and visitors! I saw who my parents were to Ottawa. And we certainly knew how to party! Limin' in my blood for sure! Hosting and entertaining in how we grow up.
Chris came over and snapped away on the pictures he needed....It was the day before I was leaving to head to the International Black Summit annual event in Atlanta and all those memories came on the trip with me to remind me that I come from great people, great experiences, and have overcome many challenges. Even though I wasn't yet aware, consciously, of what the Declaration would be for the 2015-2016 Summit year, I was set to be able to "embrace ALL aspects of myself".
Last Wednesday, the documentary premiered. I didn't tell anyone. I wanted to see it alone. There were lots of people there but I was alone, hiding in the wide open! As each of the Human Library stories past before mine were told, I got more and more excited. The stories were so wonderfully, intriguing, genuine, open and I got caught up in the moment, forgetting for a second that my moment would be coming. Just like I'd gotten lost in the stories of others, I was lost in the story of me like an out of body experience!
The episode aired last Saturday while I was in New York. I watched it again last night (PVR). I feel blessed to have been included and able to speak my truth, to be part of the Human Library family, to live and be from communities of ordinary people with extraordinary vision!
Thank YOU Chris! Thank you Ottawa Public Library! Thank YOU Human Library Project! Thank YOU Julie Delaney! Thank You CBC! It's been my pleasure.
My Human Library Story - click, watch and SHARE!
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