Uncle Nearest Distillery Blog- Zariya Johnson
My experience at the Uncle Nearest Distillery provided me with the opportunity to reflect on the historical lessons that typically aren’t taught on many college campuses in America. Making connections and seeing the effects of history take place before my eyes, provided me with another level of enrichment I initially didn’t realize was needed. Furthermore, there was a sense of empathy I could feel amongst my fellow African Americans whose gifts had been undermined, dimmed and left unnoticed. Previously, there was a time in high school where males in my classes wanted to make intelligent females feel as though they were flawed and not worthy of recognition. I can relate to the experiences of Nathan Green when feeling like your special qualities are not valued. While in transit from Atlanta to Shelbyville, I found myself thinking about the people who have ventured to and from before me and all of the significant events that have taken place in the various towns in between. Although Atlanta, Georgia is not far from Shelbyville, Tennessee, I noticed how industrialized our city looks compared to the latter. This leads me to wonder how history may have been different for Nathan Green had he lived in a more populous area with many more businesses and infrastructure or did a more rural area provide the natural space needed for him to live out his dream? Ultimately, one could surmise that for Uncle Nearest, being in Lynchburg Tennessee gave him the opportunity to explore his specialty of distillery. Although there is much high honor, craftsmanship and deep rooted legacy to be proud of, there is also a side of inequality, enslavement, and capitalism. Entrepreneurship can intersect with responsibility when success is impacted by historical biases. This is when passion versus profit versus financial status comes into play. A successful business can generate money, but a valuable business can generate recognition of societal issues and bring about social change. Not only does Uncle Nearest’s Distillery sell a product, it tells a story. And after many years, the real story is coming to light. A business as such has the potential to make a great impact on marginalized communities. Throughout all of the hardship, a successful empire was curated by a black man. This can teach and inspire future generations to not let their talents go unnoticed or to let trials and tribulations interfere with sharing their gifts with the world. Stepping outside of the classroom and experiencing more of my culture directly allows me to be a more hands-on learner. With that being said, I am able to understand that I come from much more than what society has tried to teach me. As a result, I now feel more confident and empowered to share my gifts with the world. As an honors student, I feel more emboldened to investigate historical research through a lens with deeper thought and attentiveness. As a member of the African American community this learning experience inspires me to seek more ways I can teach others about our history and transform that lesson into an opportunity for stewardship and growth. I am inspired to make a difference, advocate for what is right, and educate others who may not have the same opportunities as me. As a part of a larger story, I feel as though I am getting closer to finding my purpose and how I plan to leave a meaningful impact on humanity.
Zariya Johnson
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