Chloe Billingslea- History Remembered and a Legacy Restored

History Remembered and a Legacy Restored

 On our way to the Uncle Nearest Distillery in Tennessee, I quite wasn't sure what to expect. Like the my fellow honors students, I had never experienced viewing a distillery before. But I soon came to realize that the land we were on was not simply a whiskey distillery, but history being corrected and receiving the ovation it so richly deserves. Driving through the hills and mountains, slowly getting further and further from the cityscape that we've all have been, slowly but surely, getting accustomed to. Venturing over rivers and experiencing lakeside views, as we continue deeper and deeper within rural Tennessee. The bus we all lined up into carrying a steady and consistent hum, driving down the highway before transitioning to the much dustier pathway. I must admit, returning to Tennessee was a bit difficult. After losing my uncle who was like a second father to me, the last time seeing him alive in Tennessee was the last time I wanted to see Tennessee at all. But I'm so glad that when I did return, I returned with the support and strength of my Spelman sisters. After passing multiple acres of farmland and countless mares beautifully grazing under the hot midday sun, we arrived. 

What can being in this place-the Uncle Nearest Distillery in Tennessee-teach you about history and legacy that reading alone could not?

After reading Love & Whiskey, a book that in a way has three separate yet completely connected storylines within it, I was looking forward to connecting the book to the distillery. It was almost as if I could feel the passion and resilience of Fawn Weaver's story, the knowledge and craftsmanship of Nearest Green, and the work ethic of creating the Nearest Premium Whiskey brand, all radiating from the pages. As soon as I stepped off the bus and looked at my surroundings, I was mesmerized. Land for miles around, beautiful and elegantly designed buildings in the middle of a rural area, all against a sea of blue overhead. I thought I read all of the most important aspects within the Love & Whiskey book, but the feeling I felt stepping into history being corrected was unreplicatable. It somewhat reminded me of how Danielle Allen described the differences between how her night students viewed the Declaration of Independence, versus her day students in the book Our Declaration. Because of the their different perspectives, each class interpreted something different from the material or focused on different aspects altogether. In comparison with my reading of Love & Whiskey and our trip to the Uncle Nearest Distillery, these perspectives of the same material gave me two different perspectives. The book was a wonderful read that provided insight on not only Nearest Green the first known Black master distiller and his relationship to Jasper Daniel, but also Fawn Weaver and her journey to bring the history of Nearest Green to the spotlight and cement his legacy. 

What does it mean to succeed through something that delights even as it wounds?

I believe, as an entrepreneur myself, whatever you sell is what you are purposely sharing with the world. Although whiskey and other forms of alcohol have been known to cause addition and health problems later on, after the sale is made you cannot control the misuse of your product. With as much time, energy and technique that goes into each bottle of Nearest Premium Whiskey, It is an art. And like art, after a painting is commissioned and sold, the artist cannot control whether or not someone misinterprets said painting. It is up to the consumer to see the product for what it is, an art, not vice.

What is the value of stepping outside the classroom and into a setting like this?

I feel as though the ability to read about important topics, such as the history within Love & Whiskey, feeds the mind and encourages the soul. But actually going out and connecting the people, places, and energy to the readings, is one of the ways to permanently cement those values within you. A seed will grow beautifully with the soil, water and sun a greenhouse provides. But feeling the wind and seeing the bees every so often outside, is a great encouragement for even more growth.

By Chloe Billingslea

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