‘I SEE YOU’ BOOK IS RELEASED

Herb Donaldson collaborated with photographer Gerald Brown on the book on local African American history

Dasha Rich, Tamika Rich, Herb Donaldson, Gerald and Barbara Brown, and Robert and Kenny Manning.


Shelby Lynn Roney and Ruby Bodiford with their bag of books from book fair and then holding their favorite books they picked out at the Palaver Tree event.

Story and Photos By LINDA ANN McDONALD

Palaver Tree Theater in Crawfordville held a Book Signing for “I See You: A Glimpse of Wakulla County’s African American Community” written by Palaver Tree founder Herb Donaldson and local photographer Gerald Brown.
   The “I See You” photo journal is intended for future generations of African Americans in Wakulla to learn about their heritage, history, and representation in both schools and politics.
“These images would never have been captured without Gerald,” Donaldson said. The concept of the book was the answer to a question Brown had for Donaldson, “What are you going to do with all these photos?”
Also included in the book are historic photos of Buckhorn and the Buckhorn Masons.
A commonly used introduction in Africa, “I see you”- meaning, “I see myself in you” is practiced between Africans which is comparable to our local, “Hello, how are you?” – hence, the title of the book.
 Brown has been a photographer for many past events held at Palaver Tree and around the community. (Brown is also a photographer for The Wakulla Sun.) Donaldson pointed out that in the photos, Brown would always include African Americans who were visitors to community events, even when the number of black event goers were small – everyone was included in Brown’s pictures, another reason for the title of the book, “I See You.  Brown’s photos visually tell the audience that Brown “sees you’” – Brown “includes” everybody without any judgment.
 A book fair was held in addition to the book signing event.  For a $10 donation, a Palaver Tree tote was provided to the donor and for as many books as the tote could hold, the donor could bring home.
Donaldson did not stop anyone from taking the tote load to the donor’s vehicle and coming back to the book fair for a second round of collecting books.
“When kids get a book and they start dancing, it’s a good thing,” Donaldson said as a child was dancing as she was leaving with her new books.
Dasha and Tamika Rich, a mother/daughter team visiting the event said, “I am an avid reader and I love books; you will never see me without a book. If there is a reason to read, I am there!”
Books were supplied by Tallahassee’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Chapter and brought to the event by locals Robert and Kenny Manning.
Donaldson’s future for the venue and classic theater itself is to highlight shows, photos and music focusing strictly on Wakulla County.
Save the dates for a music event on June 17th with Aaron Hayden and band. The African Art Exhibit continues until June 19th and upcoming events include Chomp and Stomp on July 22 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Palaver Tree.  
Donaldson can be contacted at (850) 933-9133.
Over a year went into getting this book out in time for the Palaver Tree Theater Emancipation Celebration.