Christmas Gif'
In 1963 Charlemae Hill Rollins wrote Christmas Gif': An Anthology of Christmas Poems, Songs, and Stories Written by and about Negroes. The title, Christmas Gif', was based on a holiday tradition celebrated by her family that originated in the days of slavery. The book includes selections from Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Booker T. Washington, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks, who had been a patron at the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library as a child.
Rollins compiled Christmas Gif': An Anthology of Christmas Poems, Songs, and Stories, Written By and About Negroes. This landmark work, which included selections by Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Booker T. Washington, and Gwendolyn Brooks, appeared in 1963. In her forward to the anthology, Rollins wrote, "The name of this anthology represents much to me--the pleasure of giving and recollections of a happy tradition that had its origin in the days of slavery. The custom of 'Christmas Gif' has been a part of the holiday celebration in my family for as long as I can remember." Rollins continued, "As a child I spent much time with my grandmother, who had been a slave. From her I learned that 'Christmas Gif' was a surprise game played by the slaves on Christmas Day. Two people, meeting for the first time that day would compete to be the first to call out, 'Christmas Gif'!' The loser happily paid a forfeit of a simple present--maybe a tea cake or a handful of nuts. Truly there was more pleasure in being 'caught,' and having to give the present--the giving, though comically protested, was heartwarming to a people who had so little they could with dignity share with others." This practice later spread to the homes of plantation owners and became holiday tradition for many.
Thirty years after its initial publication, the anthology was reissued with linoleum-block illustrations by Ashley Bryan and sporting the updated subtitle "By and About African-Americans." Also included in the new edition was a note by Rollins's son, Joseph, Jr., who explained the retention of the original language, "While some...may seem outdated, to make any changes would certainly alter the artistic intent...[The] language does not obscure the messages of peace, unity, and goodwill that still ring true." Upon its republication, Lois F. Anderson of Horn Book judged it a "worthy addition to the holiday bookshelf," and a Kirkus Reviews commentator called it a "book that belongs in every library."
Black Biography. Contemporary Black Biography. Copyright © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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