In the mid 90's, I worked w/a band of musicians from South Africa and later w/just the band leader. In order to stay in America, as part of their obligation to keep a visa, they had to perform and teach their African music and culture. So it was common for us to teach workshops in churches, especially black churches. Once, during Black History Month, the band leader and I taught a drumming workshop in an A.M.E. Church in Ohio and we were invited to join the congregation for dinner afterwards and we gladly accepted. I was the only white person among approximately 200 people. It didn't bother me and it didn't seem to bother anyone else. Everyone was very gracious to us until during dinner, one man, in his best Amos 'n' Andy voice said to me "Y'know, Lincoln didn't free no slaves!" I guess he was trying to see if I'd react and I did but not in the way he was expecting. It cracked me up and I started laughing and couldn't stop. Then my African friend started laughing and he finally said "Mary, stop!" but I couldn't. I guess no one else thought it was funny because we weren't invited back. We laughed the entire ride home. And for months afterwards, out of the blue my friend would say "Y'know, Lincoln didn't free no slaves!" and it would get us going again.

Words can harm and words can heal. But sometimes words can just make you laugh.