A Kid's Eye View of "Walk the Walk"

Cindy Boyer, Director of Museums and Education, compiled these wonderful comments from students who attended this year's performances of "Walk the Walk: Encounters with Rochester's African-American Ancestors" earlier this month:

Dear Mrs. Boyer and Mrs Jackson, Thank you for putting on a great story for everyone. Can you tell the actors they were good? – Jaquan, Grade 4

Captain Sunfish

He was telling about African-Americans and being funny at the same time – 5^th grader

He was funny and you could learn something at the same time – 5^th grader

He didn’t know about the changes (since his time) and was hoping for change – 6^th grader

He was funny, and looked and acted like Will Smith – 6^th grader

He had a sense of humor and was interactive – 6^th grader

Captain Sunfish involved the crowd – 6^th grader

Captain Sunfish told people to open up their hearts – 6^th grader

Captain Sunfish was my favorite story because it tells you what happened back then when none of my classmates and me were born – 5th grader

My favorite part was when Captain Sunfish took off his feet – 5^th grader

Austin Steward

I chose Austin Steward because it teaches about never giving up! – 5^th grader

I learned do not listen to bullies. I liked the actors because they were telling the truth – 4^th grader

Austin Steward taught me to never give up – Jonathan, 4^th grader

Austin Steward never gave up on what he wanted and he learned that hard work pays off – 5^th grader

This story taught me about self courage – Jontrase, 5^th grader

He taught us never give up on what we want to do – Jimyra, 5^th grader

Austin Steward was my favorite story because he was brave to tell the police that his sign got messed up by someone – Sunshine, 5^th grader

I can relate to the part where he talked about bullies - Geronda, 5^th grader

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass inspired me to never give up and have hope – Renaisha, Grade 4

The best part of the morning was getting up close with Frederick Douglass – 4^th grader

Frederick Douglass came from a place where he wasn’t anything and he made himself something – 6^th grader

Frederick Douglass taught us what an orator means – 5^th grader

Frederick Douglass was an excellent actor, and I want to be a speaker – 5^th grader

I didn’t know that John Brown tried to commit violence – Xavier, 6^th grader

Frederick Douglass gave a lot of background, and he made it really clear and understandable – Jasmine, 6^th grader

Anna Murray Douglass

I liked the Anna Murray Douglass story because it was life-like and deep – 4^th grader

It was my favorite story because at first it was sad, but then when she reunited with Frederick Douglass, it was beautiful – Aeilil, 5^th grader

Anna really made me feel like I was there at the same time and in the same situation – Tori, 6^th grader

I chose Anna Murray Douglass story because to me it felt so realistic and yes it touched my heart – 6^th grader

I learned the most from her; I did not know she could not bury her daughter - 6^th grader

She was a great actor and had a very interesting story – 6^th grader

I could see the pain she goes through – Justen, 5^th grader

I chose this one because she reminded me of my family – Faith, 5^th grader

Mary Jackson

The Dorsey home was my favorite because it was sad at first until Mr and Mrs. Dorsey took in Mary Jackson – 4^th grader

The Dorsey story taught me to be nice to others – 6^th grader

Mary Jackson taught me a lesson I will remember forever in my whole life – 6^th grader

She taught me I should help someone that didn’t fit in – Venezia, 5^th grader

I liked this story because it taught be about being black back in the day – Lakeisha, 5^th grader

George Brown

I was so into George Brown’s speech about the civil war – 5^th grader

I learned that George Brown was a soldier – 5^th grader

The best part was when he said Hallolujia (SP) and broke his cane – 6^th grader

George Brown taught me the most, because he talked about his life in slavery – 5^th grader

I learned he was forced to fight for the South and when he became free he fought for the north – 6^th grader

This was my favorite because he put a laugh in hist story – Carlee, 5^th grader

I liked George Brown, he told a lot about how he escaped – 6^th grader

General Comments – or would you recommend the program to other kids, and why?

You need to know the truth about the past and where our ancestors came from and how thankful we should be to have come this far – 6^th grader

It teaches a lot of history and helps you imagine what happened – 6^th grader

The best part is when we got to say “WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK” – 5^th grader

This teaches you about the history of us African-Americans in a kid way – 5^th grader

I learned that African-Americans can do anything if they put their mind to it – 5^th grader

This program gave good info in a fun way that makes it stick in your mind – Jasmine, 6^th grader

I learned a lot of info that I will keep forever and ever – Tori, 6^th grader

People need to know why we have what we have today – Lataves, 5^th grader

My favorite part of the morning was the actors telling their stories – I can picture it still in my mind – 5^th grader

The performance rocked! – 6^th grader