Interview with David Plaskett
Dublin Core
Title
Interview with David Plaskett
Date
12/10/2016
Is Part Of
Skidmore-Saratoga Memory Project
Publisher
DS113A: Storytelling Interviewing, Skidmore College.
Description
The overarching theme of the interview I conducted displays Mr. Plaskett's doubtful yet hopeful view for the future of the Lodge. He has been living in Saratoga and participating in the Lodge since 1998 - he has been an Elks member since his youth. As a senior citizen, he remarks the shift he has observed in the priorities and reasons why people join (or do not join) the lodge. Lastly, he focuses on the importance of knowing and maintaining the history of the Elk's lodge, as there has been blatant prejudiced disregard for the continuation of the lodge by the larger Saratoga community. He hopes that by keeping history alive and continuing the narrative, the essence of what Elkdom means to the Black Elks will be kept alive as well.
Language
English
Creator
Dejon Bunn-Constant
Subject
Saratoga Springs -- Beekman Street Arts District -- History
Format
Original recording wav file. 16 bit 44.1 khz
Date Created
12/13/16
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Interviewer
Dejon Bunn-Constant
Interviewee
David Plaskett
Location
69 Beekman Street,
Saratoga Springs, NY
12866
Saratoga Springs, NY
12866
Transcription
Interviewee: David Plaskett
Interviewer: Dejon Bunn-Constant
Location of Interview: Kitchen of Black Elks Lodge, 69 Beekman Street
Date of Interview: 12/10/16
00:00:01.13: Header
00:00:12.02: Introduction. Resident of Saratoga Springs and Black Elks Lodge since 1998
00:00:59.37: Discussion on decline of participation of Black Elks Lodge and fraternities in general. Misconception on lodge and change from the festive, young, organized, active participation it used to have. Focus on functions of lodge - bar, parties. Loss of knowledge of history.
00:04:35.11: Recounts history of the Drill team as an integral part of what Elks used to be. Used to be source of pride and representation of Saratoga in competitions with other cities. Meetings and social gatherings used to be face of Black Elks. Community, support driven.
00:08:32.23: Clarifies racist history of Elks lodge - exclusion lead to need for Black fraternity members to create own space. Emphasis on sameness between Elks of all races despite division in history.
00:10:09.44: Mentions that Elks started in England.
00:13:13.07: Explains that original purpose of fraternal organizations was loving, giving. That purpose has been clouded.
00:14:12.58: Stresses importance of young membership, transparency of history key to people knowing the reason why they are joining,
00:15:19.23: Tells history of Frederick Allen in Saratoga Springs, organization of City Hall.
00:16:56.34: Remarks Black Elks Lodge being the first and last Black lodge in New York. Declares desire to keep Lodge alive due to racial significance in Saratoga.
00:19:14.17: Discusses exclusion and lack of appreciation of the lodge by the larger Saratoga community. Lack of funding and desire by townspeople to keep lodge alive.
00:21:47.05: Notes how lodge historically had auxiliary attractions to gain membership that no longer exists.
00:24:05.39: States belief that lodge should have membership drive as rejuvenation effort.
00:25:42.40: “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell starts playing in the distant background, remarked by Mr. Plaskett as he discusses meetings historically being members only.
00:26:43.18: Describes color guard - women in parades held by fraternities in past who would wave the fraternity’s flag and do a routine to introduce the fraternity being represented.
00:28:48.31: Not many original Elks members left to remember and recount history and legacy to newer generations.
00:31:03.04: Downplay of lodge’s legacy and importance by the rest of Beekman Street and the rest of Saratoga. Makes clear that the town actually wants to see the Arts District and the Lodge gone.
00:32:45.51: Arts District began being rented by people of too wealthy a class for artists to survive and maintain the businesses and homes they had along Beekman Street. Severity of the collapse, refinancing occurring around 2010.
00:37:14.01: Closing. Remarks importance of interviewer’s interest in the history of the Lodge and maintaining the narrative of the Lodge as a method to draw attention to it. Emphasis on knowledge of history as most powerful tool to use. Unsure if he believes Lodge should attempt to rejuvenate itself or let go of history, disappointed tone.
00:40:46.40: End.
Interviewer: Dejon Bunn-Constant
Location of Interview: Kitchen of Black Elks Lodge, 69 Beekman Street
Date of Interview: 12/10/16
00:00:01.13: Header
00:00:12.02: Introduction. Resident of Saratoga Springs and Black Elks Lodge since 1998
00:00:59.37: Discussion on decline of participation of Black Elks Lodge and fraternities in general. Misconception on lodge and change from the festive, young, organized, active participation it used to have. Focus on functions of lodge - bar, parties. Loss of knowledge of history.
00:04:35.11: Recounts history of the Drill team as an integral part of what Elks used to be. Used to be source of pride and representation of Saratoga in competitions with other cities. Meetings and social gatherings used to be face of Black Elks. Community, support driven.
00:08:32.23: Clarifies racist history of Elks lodge - exclusion lead to need for Black fraternity members to create own space. Emphasis on sameness between Elks of all races despite division in history.
00:10:09.44: Mentions that Elks started in England.
00:13:13.07: Explains that original purpose of fraternal organizations was loving, giving. That purpose has been clouded.
00:14:12.58: Stresses importance of young membership, transparency of history key to people knowing the reason why they are joining,
00:15:19.23: Tells history of Frederick Allen in Saratoga Springs, organization of City Hall.
00:16:56.34: Remarks Black Elks Lodge being the first and last Black lodge in New York. Declares desire to keep Lodge alive due to racial significance in Saratoga.
00:19:14.17: Discusses exclusion and lack of appreciation of the lodge by the larger Saratoga community. Lack of funding and desire by townspeople to keep lodge alive.
00:21:47.05: Notes how lodge historically had auxiliary attractions to gain membership that no longer exists.
00:24:05.39: States belief that lodge should have membership drive as rejuvenation effort.
00:25:42.40: “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell starts playing in the distant background, remarked by Mr. Plaskett as he discusses meetings historically being members only.
00:26:43.18: Describes color guard - women in parades held by fraternities in past who would wave the fraternity’s flag and do a routine to introduce the fraternity being represented.
00:28:48.31: Not many original Elks members left to remember and recount history and legacy to newer generations.
00:31:03.04: Downplay of lodge’s legacy and importance by the rest of Beekman Street and the rest of Saratoga. Makes clear that the town actually wants to see the Arts District and the Lodge gone.
00:32:45.51: Arts District began being rented by people of too wealthy a class for artists to survive and maintain the businesses and homes they had along Beekman Street. Severity of the collapse, refinancing occurring around 2010.
00:37:14.01: Closing. Remarks importance of interviewer’s interest in the history of the Lodge and maintaining the narrative of the Lodge as a method to draw attention to it. Emphasis on knowledge of history as most powerful tool to use. Unsure if he believes Lodge should attempt to rejuvenate itself or let go of history, disappointed tone.
00:40:46.40: End.
Original Format
Digital Audio Recording
Duration
40:46
Record Creation Date
06/12/2016
Citation
Dejon Bunn-Constant, “Interview with David Plaskett,” Skidmore Saratoga Memory Project, accessed October 11, 2024, https://ssmp.skidmore.edu/document/403.
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