Peter Hairston and Jester Hairston - "Owner and Slave"
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2020
- Here the descendant of slaves and the descendant of their owners talk. Peter Hairston was the great grandson of Jester's grandfather's "owner". They sit on the steps of Cooleemee Plantation - the very place of their connection. They talk history and stories.
As a student teacher in college, I was Jester’s chauffeur at a weekend choral festival in 1977 at Longview, Texas. Every night he asked me to come in his room for a few minutes. His routine was the same every night. He got his PJs on, laid out all of his various prescribed medications, lay down in bed, and call his wife. He always wanted me to stay long enough to talk to his wife and reassure her that he took every pill. Then he would ask me to stay a little longer and visit. Actually, he just needed someone to talk to. So I listened as he closed his eyes and the stories began to flow! Yes, his music, acting, conducting was impeccable, but he was the most incredible human I’ve ever met.
I don't check my site very often but thank you for this. I have tried to honor his life now for over 30 years. I produced a documentary film (you can see on this channel, a multi-media book in the Apple Bookstore, and now a broadway musical I am trying to get produced. He was an incredible man.
How fortunate you were to have had such a close interaction with Mr. Hairston! When I was in high school in California (nearly 50 years ago), I sang in the Jester Hairston festivals. I loved the songs and the arrangements. But most of all I loved the camaraderie of the gatherings- hundreds of teenagers, all joined together, with Jester leading us in song. He was an amazing man- such charisma and love for humanity!
Beautiful. Mr. Hairston just had a way about him. I have no doubt he has a good place in Heaven.
Thats an experience you'll never forget. Our elders are everything
I had the privilege of singing under Mr. Hairston at a couple of choir festivals in the 1970s. He was incredibly funny, and a delight to sing for.
Does anyone miss sitting down talking to their grandfathers and getting history lessons. This reminds me of those wonderful years.
Facts spent many night listening and watching late night T.V.
Yes Yes Yes!!! Especially if you were a tomboy❤
While my papa was young i do miss him telling stories of his father whom I never had the honor of meeting. My papa passed last year (2023) and it’s still fresh I wish I could call him up and talk for a couple of hours about NOTHING
I dont miss it at all. My 83 and 84 yr old grandparents moved in with me about 2 years ago. He loves to talk and Ive always thought I should be recording it and putting it on YT. Hes such a good storyteller also.
@pinkroseyrose ❤🙏🏽
This is the actor Jester Hairston who played Rolly on the TV show Amen.
Oh it’s Rolly? I always thought it was Raleigh like Sir Walter Raleigh.
@@Amir-um7ql On the show it’s spelled Rolly and pronunced Raleigh. Go figure 🤔
I thought it was him as soon as he started speaking.
Wow! I didn't recognize him but I recognized his voice.
I remember him🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
My entire life I loved listening to older peoples stories
Me, too! ❤😇
I bet you avoided alot of mistakes by doing that. Me I like to learn the hard way unfortunately.
Same. I love to listen!
I have too. I learned so much so early because I would just ask an open-ended question and let them go!
Me too!
Based on what he said. His birthday was July 9, 1901 and he would be 92 that year and we are in 2024. My calculations say that this was filmed 31 years ago. Rest well Mr. Gentlemen.
Jester was almost a hundred when he died. Amazing.
I WAS GOING TO SAY... GRADUATED COLLEGE IN 1929???? HOW OLD IS THIS? THEY CAN'T STILL BE AROUND IN 2024, CAN THEY? THE PICTURE QUALITY IS GREAT, BUT THIS HAS TO BE OLD. YOU NEVER KNOW THOUGH. SOME PEOPLE ARE 120 NOW, BUT NOT IN IN AS GREAT SHAPE AS THESE TWO ARE SITTING ON THE STEPS.
Yes I calculated it to be in 1993
Rest in peace, Sir❤.
123 Years Later Here I am watching & listening to your story Mr. Jester. I Really Pray that God Had Blessed your Soul to be Reincarnated.
My mom was his caretaker for some many years while he was on Amen unto he passed...he would teach us the song Amen he wrote it
He did not write Shine on Me. Andre Crouch wrote it
@@ebonyoverstreet6726u are correct, somebody else is lying 😳
92 years old looking amazing 🫡
This video has to be at least 25 years old
What was said is 92 years old looking amazing actually this from late 80tys early 90tys
Free the slaves in Haiti . They driving the slavery ancestry into extinction 🤦🏿♂️💔
What beautiful souls they both had. I've heard that the Hairston Family is still close both black and white. I say bless them all with peace and tranquility.
Amen
This is interesting. I have Hoston and Hairston bloodlines. And Smith, Thompson, Hayes, Taylor, Carter, Looney, Womack, and more. I watch the news and other documentaries feeling like I am related to everybody. It disturbs me that people don't understand the connections. UA-cam has some gems.
@@triedntrueiam My family connections are from all over Europe and at least one passed through Jamestown in it's earliest years on his way to the Caribbean. We're all connected by now if you get right down to it. If your family was here before Ellis Island, we're probably related.
Not sure how I happened upon this story but glad I did. What a blessing to be this alert and articulate at 92. Their shared history is part of the fabric of this country and
an example of a positive friendship Great post. Rip .....🌺🪻🌹🌷🌷🌺
Amen
Idk how I came across this but I'm happy I did
Me to!!!!
My mom met Jester in the late 80s at a family reunion in Homestead. He was already on Amen. He signed a dollar and gave it to her.
Ok I thought that was him, his voice was just more gravely on there❤️
That was the best show! As a kid it taught me a lot!
Homestead Florida? I grew up there🤔
@@sapiophile545 Homested PA
@@sapiophile545Homestead P.A. Just outside of Pittsburgh
The civility and congeniality is refreshing. We really don't have to divide and hate.
Amen to that
There would be not hate if they would give us reparations for building the wealth of the US. The two survivors of the Tulsa Oklahoma massacre who are 109 are still in court fighting to get recompense for the STEALING and destruction of their wealth. This is over when 🤚🏻do what is right😮💯
@@g_hagan No.
@@g_haganI agree with you because it is only fair
@@g_hagan not at all, unless you were a slave why do you want to make money off your deceased relations? Greed or no job skills?
The fact that he wasn’t a slave and he wasn’t a slave owner but became great friends is amazing..he followed this mans career even at their old age…neither one feels any hatred or entitlement about anything..just two friends catching up..
reparations now !!!
@ernestcanteen3806 why???
@@g_haganhe's trolling
@jolenehendrickson8915 he's either trolling or has to keep racism alive in order 2 thrive.. smh 🙄
@@ernestcanteen3806lol get a job
As a high school student in the 60’s, I sang in the choir. Multiple high school choirs in California met at the university in Stockton. We had the wonderful experience of singing beautiful Spirituals together and being directed by Mr. Jester Hairston. I will never forget it!
I’m a Hairston as well…my grandfather was Juble Hairston;, Jr.! Rich history and legacy!
My great great Grandfather is Robert Hairston..💪🏾
My great grandmother was Inez! Hi family!
All blacks got their names from white folks ..
Did any of you inherit some of that musical ability that seems to have been overflowing in Mr. Hairston???
I'm a Hairston too 😊
These guys are talking about the 20s and WWII like it was yesterday 😂😂 😂😂
Jester Hairston was the Great Grandfather of one of my best friends from elementary school till we graduated together, I used to love to watch him on the t.v. show Amen,he was born not to far from me,Belews Creek N.C!
For those that have "Take me to Church," the famous "Amen" line comes from the song "Amen" by Jester Hairston and it was used for the movie "Lilies of the Field" in 1963. Otis Redding sang a cover and made his own version singing the "amen" line that inspired Hozier
I did not know that!!
That's what a good Christian man should do. LEAD BY EXAMPLE. ❤🙏🇺🇲
I love the way they talk to one another
I could watch Jester all day I love older ppl.
Me ✌🏽❤
Oh my god, I am speechless. I just stumbled upon this video. The video looks as if it was taken 30 years ago. The man is 92!.
walking , talking, sharp as day. And in great health...god, is good. What a wild story. Not, too many people can trace back their family's history.
This is how everybody should behave this should be a good lesson for people to get along
It should be but sadly I wont see it in my lifetime.
Those days are gone . Now everyone is taught hate especially in college. Division is emphasized , womanhood is reduced to a costume all under the guise of love and equality @cannkotlarz621
@@cannkotlarz621We do, it’s our government and media that say we don’t. I’m 63 and I nor anyone I know have a racist bone in our bodies.
I’m pass
That last shot of them walking away was beautiful 🎥❤️
I had not heard of Jester Hairston until today and i feel like ive missed out on someone super important
Me too😊
He play the character Rolly on a TV show called Amen. The show aired in the late 80s through the early 90s. A great funny show.
Me too
Me too
Owner and Slave, no not at all, we talk about the grandson and great grandson....
Regal, Black and etherally beautiful ✨
Better men from a better world, things we lost in the fire.
Very well said
I love the freindship beautiful
These are some real life history lessons that should be watched in school. I am so touched by this video and interview with the genuine between these two gentlemen.
Mr. Hairston reminds me of my grandmother. She mentioned ONCE how she was (my words, not hers) "cheated" out of money supposedly deducted from her wages for social security. In the 1940s-1950s she worked as a maid and cook for a white family.
There was no anger in her voice when she told me that story. She never spoke negatively of whites or anyone else.
Jester Hairston also acted on one of my favorite old television shows Amos 'n' Andy
Older generations were superior to offerings of today . Less spoiled . More grateful , less wasteful and just better people
Wow this video was amazing, ! Hello Family, My great-grand uncle was James Edward Harrison who married Lee Ana Gaines. I grew up less than 2 miles from Homestead, PA in West Mifflin.
Really, really enjoyed this clip. Thank you for sharing!!
I bet both are God fearing men. That's why they love and respect each other and not hate one another. ❤. God is love
Why, because some made up god is going to punish them for not accepting a cult leader as their "savior" from his petty wrath?
@@Miodrag.VukomanovicGod is very real my friend .
@@swampghost72 Yes god is real, but religion is false.
God fearing slave owner?🤔 Sounds like a complete oxymoron.
@@Miodrag.Vukomanovic well Religion and faith are two different things to me..Religion is to me just something that you do repetitively and often..( Religiously). But faith is something different..so I sort of agree with you there..
I used to love watching Rolly on "Amen" as a little girl. Don't know why this popped up in my feed, but im glad it did. I really enjoyed listening to them.🙏🏾💜
Black and White - Beautiful Harmony
I swear him and my great grandmother Inez were twins! They looked so much alike. They were first cousins!
Did you inherit some of that musical ability that seems to have been overflowing in Mr. Hairston??
@@Jake-nk4wg I wish! 😩
@@Jake-nk4wgI did
@@tiffytwotimes
I knew someone had to have inherited some of those amazing abilities Mr. Hairston had. Did your talent come in the form of: voice, piano, orchestral instruments other than piano, directing, etc. or all of...?? Please tell us; inquiring minds want to know. 🙂🙂🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
@@Jake-nk4wg piano and flute. Since age 5.
Even if you did not know how accomplished and scholarly Mr. Hairston was, he still would have that dignified bearing and you'd treat him with respect. I wish someone would post the video of Jester telling Johnny Carson about legendary composer Dimitri Tiomkin offering him a job to do choral arrangements for the movies. Not PC, but I never saw Johnny laugh so hard. Jester just told it like it was.
Not sure if this is the vid: "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (aired 10/15/1987) Jester Hairston shared slave ancestry story"
ua-cam.com/video/ljWQe3ebhr0/v-deo.htmlsi=JJ4abvZWtTjSiKfN
This goes to show how civil people who can put difference aside and get along just fine. today's societies look towards difference instead of similarities. We are all the same people, only different upbringing .
What a beautiful picture
Look at how kind they are to each other. The respect…the pathetic youth of today could learn something from it but they won’t. Colleges have taught them how to NOT learn anything of use…our elders are history books just waiting to be tapped. They need to be better protected in our country (elderly care ect) ❤️❤️❤️
No we can’t learn cause they claimed blacks was always slaves and white snd blacks never got along a long time ago. 😢
You speak of kindness, but then immediately insult an entire generation. This is a human issue. It's up to all of us.
@@BeautyInYOU583This old man have Stockholm syndrome. Nothing great about this. I'd never be friends with any man who owned my family during slavery. I will not be identifying with the slave master.( Stockholm syndrome)
What a beautiful friendship ❤❤ i could listen to them all night
He looks so much like my Daddy ! RIH!💙🙏🏼🕊 Can't wait to go to the Hairston reunion!
OMG he looks like my granddaddy I love watching him on amen and I was just thinking about him peace
Mr. Hariston was also on a few episodes of Amos and Andy. What a legacy he left. Much respect to our Ancestors. ❤
Jester was the best person in the world !!
I would've loved to meet him
God bless this family!
Love and miss my uncle.
Wow! Hi family 😊 Jester was my great grandmother Inez first cousin! I remember meeting him at one of the Hairston Clan's family reunions when I was a little girl.
Reparations now
@@designed2bmumscarmichael582Reparations now
Needs more views
This should be shown in schools. Social media has people who have nowhere near as close connection as these two do to slavery, hating each other over slavery. It's really sad that these two were longtime friends and now strangers are at each others throats.
Actor from Amen❤
Lawd have mercy, I was just saying he look just like Rowley!
Yep Rolly Forbes from the tv show Amen!
How is it that these two men that were involved in the situation can sit together and have peaceful conversation but, those that weren't even thought of at those times stir up so much hate and confusion!?
Good question!
#peace because this video is a troll
In short, BOSS AND WORKER. Like today.
Oh my God it is so wonderful to see Riley. I’m glad to see he’s doing good. Looks like he’s in good health. God bless him.
This is so beautiful, so much love between these two. God is good. 🕊️🕊️🕊️
I wish the older white Grays and black Grays did this. I would love to hear the stories they have about our hometown.
The African American gentleman, didn't he play on the sitcom "Amen" with Sherman Hemsley?
Yes that's correct.
It’s the spirit of God in human that makes them respect other human beings irrespective of skin color.
Yes Amen❤
Isaiah 14:2
This sounds just like the man that played rollie on AMEN is this him oh my what a treat if this is him❤
may our Heavenly Father cover their soul and spirits the forgiver and the changer
Very cool! I was born in PA, and live in Mocksville.
I miss him he was such a great actor Amen was one of my favorite shows as a kid
So many people love the idea of a slave being friendly with their slave owner…y’all typed that and didn’t think it was concerning
My great grandpa was born in 1903 and died in 2005 at 101 his dad was a slave and he used to talk about how white people were so hatful towards black people
You can take it as gospel , because I'm sure he spoke the truth . But he didn't witness it from the whole white race . We will always have both good & bad people from every race & country . But that shouldn't affect how we live & die ... just because a white person hates black people , doesn't mean all white people hate black people ...
It has not changed too much.
Awesome! May they both rest in peace! Two humble, accomplished men!!
❤my cousin ( the hairston clan) my Family my great grandfather was Collie Hairston
I live by Homestead PA. God bless both of them
SSSHHHIIIIIIIIIIINNNEEE ON MEEEEEEE!!
my family loved that show.
I see this video and one thing comes to my mind: WE ALL WILL GET OLD, DIE AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF OUR SINS.
Indeed we will, Remember me Lord Jesus, Remember me
May he rest in peace.. Jester grew up in Pennsylvania.. very interesting story..
This is how it is supposed to be. Beautiful
Did not know he grew up in Homestead. I went to college in Pittsburgh, worked there and raised my children there. Drove through Homestead a few weeks ago!
God bless both these men ❤️
I had to take a few looks hairston looks exactly like my grandfather and he passed at 92
My high school chorus teacher had us perform a song that he composed called “Poor Man Lazarus”.
This man understands things better than people do today even though he was so much closer to the reality of what slavery was for the short time it was in America
When was this video recorded?
This is a, wow factor ❤
I love them thank you
Crazy how he can be friends
Actually it’s not crazy at all!! This can be a great lesson to us all.
I was told that's his singing voice in the movie Lillies Of The Field
Seeing the title makes me want to get rid of my last name more then any other time in my life.
The fact that their are so many people proud to carry their slave owners last name 🤦🏽♀️
To act as if this was some type of healthy dynamic. Insane.
Everyone should be proud of their heritage ❤
@@owens5737no and yes
A name must be picked by grandparents and all must agree and name change must be documented and verified as we in technology era
1 can't carry forever name of name changer and abuser and violater and history changer
In order for lost ancestors to connect, the name must exists but a nother name should exists which is from fhe family itself and not the owner boss man
Well, by this generation...that is both family's heritage and history. What satifaction would it be to choose a different name from their family name?
@@mkodyChallengesYOu nope. Everyone should be proud of their heritage and skin color. If we want to hate people based on history we can go back and everyone’s a villain. Yes black people as well. So yes everyone should be proud of their heritage and skin color and relish in the fact we are all here together. Anyone who says otherwise is just a hateful racebaiter trying to keep people in victimization 😊
Some people are proud to have been owned. You wouldn't catch me on anyone's plantation talking about my family's time there. He sound like an absolute fool
I don't know how this appeared on my recommendations but I am very intrigued can somebody please explain their relationship and who they are
Amen
I was NOT expecting to hear Pittsburgh or Homestead. Wow
I’ve always said that he looks just like my grandpa on my daddy’s side ❤❤
I know well who my family is. Any servitude was given of love, not ownership.
I wish Mr. Hairston knew he was an Israelite and God’s chosen people before he died. RIP sir My mother loved he’s humor! Christ the black Messiah is coming.🔥🔥🔥🔥
Wow.
Massa boi this the souf💯💯💯🤷🏿♂️
On Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
His grandfather chose to keep the last name , jester had nothing to do with that. Nor did Peter, you hold the people responsible for slavery responsible not the ones that came after the slavers, there will never be forgiveness progress if we don’t . Not that I should mention this but I will I’m black , a women and a veteran, and can see that they have at least tried to transcend past the hurts and injustices to become great friends and it is obvious that Peter admires Jester !
Is this what the claton bigsbey scetch is based on
What a very misleading title. Neither of these men were alive when slavery was around, their parents weren’t even around when slavery was still around. You are not responsible for the actions of your ancestors. You are not responsible for the actions of your grandparents or even your parents. We are born in this world as individuals and these two men you can tell are very good friends. You are not defined by your families past, you are defined by the actions you take today. It’s crazy how we got along so much more in the 90s and early 00s than we do today. It’s crazy how we got along more 125 years after slavery than we do 160 years after slavery.
Actually, Jester's Mother owned all that land because she was an original indigenous Moor who's bloodline has been here on the land since time immemorial...like the rest of us. We were here long before modern EUROPEANS came here and were Chrystened with names that were our original indigenous appellations. Peace.
You got it! I was looking for this. I am a Hairston and Hoston, but I have noticed that the counties of VA and many towns are named after my ancestors. People keep associating slaveowners and the term European with whites. Many of the first whites got here because they were indentured. Walter Raleigh wasn't even white. I was watching Bridgerton last night thinking about this.🤔❤
“ Americas biggest Family“ look it up on here on UA-cam!! It’s about the Hurstons and Hairstons!! Great documentary!
In on part they talked about some of the men in the family walked from VA to the Gulf of Mexico but got turned around because somebody was guarding the waters, I think around Spanish American war!! I was like how they walk all the way down there and was able to send letters back n forth during war andddddd slavery…..?! Slavery ain’t what we thought!!
He once came to Columbia and spent time with w.j. Keenan high school Choi
What year was that I went to Keenan as a freshman in 89
This was 71or 72 I think the second year it became integrated 69 70 was a rough year for keenan
I just found out my grandma was a Hairston!
That’s my cousin…lol
Reparations now
My grandma married a Hairston. My daddy is a Hoston. I had the Hairston book for years, but only like a week ago did I realize it was the same family.😆
I'm a Hairston 😊😊