Two years ago I bought a portable recording system with sim cards that could be sent back to me and left it in Holmes Co Ohio with a group of Amish women. Over the years of interviewing and recording people I have leaned that most of us are terrified and overwhelmed with the thought of sharing our entire life story, but often times comfortable if we focus on a particular part of our journey here on earth. There's so much at stake for women in the church speaking out, and it's nearly impossible for them to feel comfortable sharing their full story because they're still very much in the thick of it.
It often times doesn't feel safe- because it isn't.
I wanted to offer a solution for women to feel heard without jeopardizing their lives and so I asked if they instead would feel comfortable sharing their experiences within the facilities, or something they wanted the outside world to know.... because a lot of them have been in them.
Amish, Mennonite and plain women are taught not to ask questions out loud, and so by putting the recorder in their hands, it was an exercise for them as well. I wanted to cultivate curiosity that was appreciated and untamed. I wanted to see what would happen with Amish women talking,
And Amish women asking.
In this episode you'll meet Mary, a woman interviewed by an Old Order Amish woman about her time in Hoffnung Heim. Her experiences as an underage victim, and what was expected of her during her search for help with her mental health.
To celebrate my first month of recordings published behind me, I am making this episode available to the public and not just my paid subscribers. If you find this valuable and would like to support me so I can continue making trips to Amish and Mennonite communities around the US, please consider subscribing to further my work.
See you in the basement,
Jasper
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