The New Deal programs by President Roosevelt drove my grandparents to Chicago.  It was very hard for a Black man and his family to live in the deep south during the 30’s. Jim Crow was in full force. He took his young bride, and his 3-year-old daughter, my mom and left for a new start. 

 

Decades later, I was born.  Those dark days were now memories stored in my father’s heavy black photo binders, he religiously pulled out every Sunday afternoon and chatted about the people and places of the past.  They were first history lesson. 

 

I found these old soda pop bottles and thought about my Grandmother.   

 

As I photographed, I remembered my grandmother loved Pepsi.  She would turn up an ice-cold bottle right out of the freezer, after a dinner of homemade stews, potatoes, rolls and New York ice cream.   

 

I called my sister after my shoot and asked more questions about my grandparents.  I was looking to pick up were my Dad left off. The conversation was enlightening. 

 

Photography has allowed me to view many pictures from back then, and I am grateful for that.  My father always called his camera his ‘material witness’.  He thought that was clever. I found it a little corny. 

 

I am, however, even more grateful for the personal journeys and sacrifices my grandparents faced in order for me to be right here writing this right now. 

 

By the way, my kids have not a clue what New York favored ice cream is; was.  Old school! 

 

D.Dilworth 

Excerpt from my Pandemic Diary 

2020