Jackie Woodson's Instagram

Elizabeth Vlasyuk
14 March 2017
Category B Prompt A

https://www.instagram.com/woodson_dreaming/

I decided to make an Instagram for Jackie, because I felt it would be the best way to illustrate her journey of finding a home. The pictures come alive through her writing and there is a sense of nostalgia that goes with remembering where she came from and what she went through to become who she is today.

I chose the handle @woodson_dreaming because as she was growing up, Jackie's initial inspiration for writing was in her daydreams and stories. Also, the title of the book, Brown Girl Dreaming, implies that the contents of this book would include the hopes and dreams of a young little girl. Being this little girl, Jackie is, in every sense, a dreamer, such is evident in her creative writing. 

I chose this picture of the Nelsonville house, where the Woodson family resides, which holds the history of the Woodson family way back to "Thomas Woodson of Chillicothe, said to be / the first son / of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings" (8). I think it is important to remember where you come from in order to understand where you are going, and I find it bittersweet that Jackie's perception of the Nelsonville house is only through the memories of others.

I chose this picture because Jackie talks about how the river's journey through each town tells a story, much like a recording of life's inevitable events. And this river's journey equally represents Jackie's journey from one home to the next and back again. Something is always drawing her back to South Carolina or even at times, though rare, to New York and Nelsonville. This circle of life is a trip within itself and all Jackie can do is try and figure it out as she goes along. 

For this picture, I wanted to show the blank white lined paper to illustrate Jackie's initial lack of physical writing, although at heart and in mind, she was writing new stories and adventures all the time. Much like she felt her stories to be like air, a breathe, the subconscious knowledge of breathing slips our minds the majority of the time, and unless someone or something points that out, we go on with our lives. And so, Jackie, although at first, doesn't have the skills to write her stories on paper, is determined to remember each one until the moment that she finally learns to write. 

Overall, I think Jackie Woodson was a strong introspective girl. Although most of her life growing up in school, she was compared to her brilliant, genius of a sister, Dell, she managed to face these times head on. Turns out she is unique and brilliant in her own specific way, which is evident through the written poetry she wrote that her teacher asks to read in class. And with the confidence and support of her "southern" grandfather, Daddy, Jackie managed to grow into a wonderful, inspiring writer. 

I hope that this Instagram demonstrates Jackie's demeanor and maturity through the years, as she reminiscences on her earlier life's journey.