The Negress does not sing for her supper
October 13, 2009The Negress was educated and entertained at much of the AFJ conference, and some of the food was sublime (dinner at Cochon and this dish with candied bacon, which may just be the best thing on earth). Also featured at this Sugar Baron’s dinner at Houmas House were bisque of curried pumpkin with craw fish and corn, lacquered duck breast with whipped sweet potatoes and chocolate mousse filled crepes with mint julep cotton candy. All of this was delicious (I gave away the cotton candy), but one part of this dinner really stuck in my craw. Judy Davis, one of the tour guides at the plantation, had favored our group with the song from”Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte” since the movie was filmed at the house. Many of the food editors (all attendees but moi were white) loved her singing and her ebullience. I was glad to hear she was a history major, a divorcee with three kids and a plan to get a nursing degree. Some in our group touring the home (which defies description with a doggie wedding dress under glass and stuffed monkeys on one of the antique beds) hope Davis would sing at dinner.
Well, Davis did. She has a nice contralto voice not unlike many heard in gospel choirs across the land most Sundays. She did “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans” and a few other numbers. Sounds OK? Well, picture Davis dressed in slave clothing (baggy shirt and ankle length skirt) singing for the white folks at the plantation.
How can you go wrong with candied bacon
Now you might understand why I was totally creeped out. There were other African Americans in the room, but besides Davis singing for our supper and me eating that supper, the rest were serving the supper. What made this particularly galling was coming to dinner after spending time at the LSU Rural Life Museum, where director David Floyd told us their mission was to talk about what went on behind the big house and that more places in Louisiana were following suit. I guess word didn’t reach Houmas House. I hope somebody lets them know soon. By the way, Beringer wine was served at dinner. Nothing to write home about, agreeable with all courses but not exactly memorable.
Good morning. I was the “negress” of which you spoke of at Houmas House, Judy Davis. I was saddened that you perceived a time lack regarding history at Houmas House. As an African-American (whose parents were Civil Rights workers in Mississippi–google Rev. Samuel Leon and Hazel Octavia Whitney), I have always aspired to showcase BOTH sides of the proverbial big house experience, inclusive of the fact that whites were not exclusively slaveowners here (by 1860, 2,200 blacks were slaveowners in Louisiana–it is documented). I have always made a concerted point to show the very best of my race, class and education, and was appalled to think that you would think otherwise.
In conclusion, having spent some of my life in Michigan (and seeing the mind-boggling lack of education in our own history, exclusive of Black History Month), my outfit was researched as something that both blacks and whites would wear as simple day wear, both here and in the markets of that time. I would hope in the future that you would actually take my tour–in its entirety–to get a true taste of the South, and Louisiana, my home.
Sincerely Yours,
Judy Whitney-Davis
Judy,
Actually I am the “negress” who wasn’t singing for her supper that night. Sorry for the confusion. I did appreciate your tour of the Houmas House and felt very strongly that you did showcase your education, ebullience and pride quite well during the tour I took with you. To me, your attire and performance at the dinner struck me as weird since the audience was predominantly white and a few of the servers were also African American. It just seemed that the time-honored scenario of blacks working and whites relaxing was being replicated at the dinner. I know that may not have been your intention but that was how it came off to me. Also, I remember you also told me about your sister the doctor and I am pleased to learn that the previous generation of your family is also as distinguished. Good luck with your future plans and thanks for adding some perspective to my comments.