To hear the story from the waitress' own words gave the story more impact. Geneva was there when it happened and saw everything that occurred, it was a first person experience. Her words are what really happened that day at Woolworth's Lunch-Counter in 1960. The story being passed on through her and told in someone else's words could have left out important details or topics.
Since Geneva was a black woman it added emphasis to the story being told by her. A woman of the same race as the young men that were refused service at the counter portrayed the story. The movement at Woolworth's was a uprising by the black community and hearing the story from one of the first black women served at the counter gives the side of the story no one else could tell except for the two other co-workers with her.
The transcript that describes what occurred at Woolworth's counter in 1960 skips details that give emphasis to the story. The transcript lacks the importance of segregation at this time and how people were saw by the color of their skin and not by the person who they are.
The transcript lacks description and emotion. Listening to the audio paints a picture in your mind of the atmosphere of Woolworth's Lunch-Counter. The audio describes the specials of the day (liver and onions) to the swivel chairs customers sat on. Even in the background of the audio there is noise as if customers are walking about through the store or chatting with one another.
When listening to the audio emotion is presented through the tone of Geneva's voice as she talks about various topics or gives an occasional laugh. When discussing the part of the story when the young men sat at the counter to be served you could recognize the seriousness of the situation from the tone of her voice while when she discussed sitting at the counter and eating you could almost feel the nervousness she felt on the day it happened.
After listening to the audio and reading the transcript I would prefer the audio for the best source of information. It’s more descriptive and informative while the transcript just brushes the main topics. From a personal point of view I prefer the audio also because I can just close my eyes, listen and let my imagination go to work.
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5 comments:
Ben, your discription of the lunch counter lady is a great tribute to her. By telling her story in her own words, the lunch counter lady brought a lot of heart about her story. Listening to the audio of the story made it more personal.
I agree that the background noise add to the meaning of the interview. You can hear people talking and other restaurant sounds, and it gives you a feel for the type of place it is.
Great job man, I always say that if you use big words people think your smart, but I'm sure your genuinely smart. You gave a lot of detail to it which was something that the transcript didn't do, so props to you man.
I really like that you pointed out what the transcript lacks, such as emotion and the noise of customers in the background. Knowing the background is important in a story like this one, and I agree with you that the audio captures and emphasizes this much better than the transcript. Listening to the audio version is almost like a radio theater production, and I always love those. :)
Hi, Ben
I enjoyed your pointing out that Geneva's tone told a lot of the story also. It is as if she was still reluctant to talk about the true feelings years after the fact.
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