"IF YOU DON'T ASK…"

This upcoming event at Sarah Lawrence College will feature the testimonies of witnesses to history whose experiences are too often ignored, trivialized, erased from the official record, and lost to posterity. It has been created by students enrolled in Stories That Need to Be Told, an Undergraduate Writing course taught by Sarah Lawrence faculty member, author, and oral historian, Gerry Albarelli.

“IF YOU DON’T ASK…” will feature a wide range of stories taken from the testimony of eyewitnesses to large-scale historical events from the Stonewall Riots to the September 11th terrorist attacks, as well as other collected stories about topics ranging from Greek culture, immigration, and the changing face of Brooklyn, New York – to testimonials from endangered and homeless youth and an 83 year-old blues singer, interviews with insomniacs, and conversations with travel writers and reclusive spiritual leaders.

The exhibit will culminate in a performance of Cuban percussion music and a vocal performance by one of the students in the class. Students will also present their own work based on or inspired by oral history. Refreshments will be served.

Location on campus: Slonim Living Room