Storyteller recalls memories of King
Lecia Ductan
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Entertainment
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Shindana Copper is a professional griot, better known as a person who continues the tradition of storytelling of a family or a village. This is often done in West Africa. When introducing herself, Cooper introduced her family as well; which she claimed to be an African tradition that she follows.
In honor of black history month, Cooper came to tell stories in honor of black leaders. She shared her memories of her father, as well as her own of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Cooper intended to tell stories of more than one black leader, but only focused on Dr. King throughout her presentation.
"I could tell you about so many black folk who made history, but I would rather just focus on Martin," Cooper told the audience.
She began her story-telling with a recollection of when she first met Dr. King as a child, what it was like for her meeting a man she knew was making history. Her father, Clark Cooper, was a friend of Dr. King and had protested with him throughout the south.
"It wasn't easy convincing my father to let me meet Martin. You see, my father was a stern man; when he had his mind made there was no changing it," Cooper said.
When she did tell the audience about meeting Martin for the first time, she could only laugh and shake her head back and forth; all she did was stumble upon her words when she tried to talk to him.
"I had planned out so well what I was going to say to him. I wanted the moment to be just right, but when he shook my hand, I had melted. I couldn't even let go of his hand for awhile; my father had to take my hand away from his," Cooper said laughing.
Cooper recollected about Dr. King for over an hour; correcting many false about Dr. King's life that have been said and published over time. She told the audience of his suicide attempt when he was 15-years-old, and she also corrected the fact that he did not go to college at 16-years-old; he was 15.
"I can go on and on about his life, but that would take all day. I just want you as young people, and as the youth of America, to remember that his dream lives on in you. You are the people that keep the hope of his dream alive," Cooper said finishing her story.
The few who had come were touched by her story, and even some were in tears asking Cooper for a hug.
"A whole new side of Martin Luther King was told tonight that you never would've thought existed. It just makes you want to keep him alive through your hopes and dreams. I thought it was something out of the ordinary, something new," Campus Activities Board Chairperson Kyle Russ said after the performance.