Going Down Home with Daddy
“...this is our time to come together and remeber.”
“Going Down Home with Daddy,” by Kelly Starling Lyons is a book about a family reunion - an important aspect of Black culture that many participate in. Black families have been historically separated in a multitude of ways. It began with slavery and continues today by way of racists systems like mass incarceration. The family reunion is an intentional act against that.
In Lyon’s story, Alan’s family (the main character), holds their reunion at Granny’s house in the south - all the uncles, aunts, and more cousins than you can count. Everyone has a gift or talent to share when they get there to honor and show gratitude for their family. Everyone, that is, except for Alan. Alan is nervous that he is showing up seemingly empty-handed. What gift is worthy of an event this important? What can he share?
The holiday season brings to light all the ways that families spend time together and the traditions they uphold. In Black culture, the family reunion is a big deal. I still remember driving to Kentucky, all with our matching shirts to meet my step-dad’s side of the family. Going there connected me to people I could see myself in as we shared food, danced, cracked jokes, and took pictures. So many pictures. When we went, it felt like my family grew bigger and we were all less alone when we returned to our respective homes.
With my father’s side of the family, every major life event is a mini-reunion. Baby showers, weddings, even funerals all had some element in celebrating our history, our joy, and the invisible connection between us all. These family gatherings silently mended emotional wounds, erased gaps of time when we were not together, and strengthened us.
The pandemic has put an abrupt halt to family gatherings for all of us, and that feels so painful. When we can get together again, it will not be the gifts we exchange or the cash that grandpa quietly sneaks to you when no one’s looking. We will all remember the sacrifices we made to keep each other safe, and we will continue to recall the memories we made together before the pandemic. Family reunions are very much about resilience and will continue to be when we can all be together again.
Teachers
After reading this story, ask your students about what their families do together that is special to them. Please do not assume that every Black child in your classroom participates in an annual family reunion. Focusing on the traditions that each child’s family shares will connect them while also honoring the diversity that is evident in your classroom.
Want to know more about the significance of daily reunions in Black culture? Read this piece by author, blogger, and mom, Kiana Keys: http://www.sassyplum.com/2017/04/17/black-family-reunions-special-tradition/
Some Things to Think About…
Questions:
Have you ever been to a family reunion? If so, what was it like? If not, how do you imagine it would be?
Why do you think Lil’ Alan was so anxious about a gift to share? What would you create or share to represent your family?
Activity:
Lil Alan’s family reunion is about remembering and celebrating the history of their family. Read George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From”, then create your own list or poem, taking inspiration from the poem and Going Down Home with Daddy.
illustrated by Daniel Minter
