Alexandra L Billo (C'2029) - From Pages to Experince: Uncle Nearest Distillery

    Traveling to the Uncle Nearest Distillery in Tennessee from Atlanta made the pages of Love & Whiskey come to life, transforming the story of Nearest Green from a distant legend in whisky making to a tangible experience. Oftentimes, when reading about history and legacy, it is difficult to imagine the daily life of the past. While reading Love & Whiskey, Fawn Weaver brought Nearest Green back into his rightful place in history as a significant contributor to Tennessee whisky. Stepping foot in the Uncle Nearest Distillery helped me visualize the environment where Nearest perfected his craft. Additionally, it gave me a deeper appreciation of life in this part of the United States, which is new to me, and its contribution to the American economy. These innovations, which he helped advance the art of whisky making, are still in use today. In a world full of modern innovations, where we discard the past, it is exciting to see the past technology still being relevant in the present. In the 21^st century, we fail to slow down and appreciate where we come from, who we are now, and where we are going. In particular, American society tends to have a monocultural view of the origins of technology, innovation, and the arts; constantly misappropriating and failing to appreciate where they come from.    

    To succeed through something like whiskey, even though alcohol is the root of destruction in many communities, is an interesting juxtaposition. On one hand, the success is perfecting the craft of creating liquor, but then profiting off the damage it may cause to others. In the US, the term successful means making and earning enough money to live a comfortable life and have financial freedom. Entrepreneurship and responsibility share a fine line, as entrepreneurs juggle between craftsmanship and remaining ethical or being accountable. Ultimately, the buyer decides whether to purchase goods, in this case, whisky, which it’s use is left to their own responsibility. In the United States, we too often put the burden on the individual, claiming it’s their bad behavior, as opposed to the social expectations that fuel these bad habits. While I have no idea how whisky was advertised in the 19^th century, I do know how contemporary alcohol is advertised; it is deceptive and dishonest. These false advertisements promote alcohol as the party, and without alcohol, there is none. 

    The value of stepping outside the classroom turned written words into a 3D experience. Growing up outside of an African American family and getting a mostly white-centric education, learning this history is important to me because it spotlights the black contributions in a country that often negates this. As the next generation of leaders, it is critical that we control the narrative of how our history is told, taught, and learned. Even though I am a Nigerien American, I know that people solely see me as a Black American, an identity I value and one I want to learn more about. A summer full of reading, and this retreat is the first step in my journey of inquiry around the overlooked and undervalued contributions of African Americans. 

Alexandra L Billo