Local documentary well-received in our livingroom.
The next time we complain about the traffic here in Mount Pleasant, we will remember that the extra 5 minute wait to get where we’re going is nothing compared to effect that same traffic to which we’re contributing has upon those whose livelihood and culture are bisected by our highways.
We were in Aiken during the screening at Spoleto a couple of weeks ago, but our DVR snagged the premiere of this highly-anticipated local documentary Thursday evening. During a break from the Russert eulogies all over the news, we watched it last night.
“Bin Yah: There’s No Place Like Home” focuses on the effects of the recent explosive commercial and residential expansion in Mount Pleasant on the Gullah-Geechee people that have owned large portions of land here for more than 140 years.
Great documentaries do not only tell a story, they tell a story that needs to be told. In that respect, it’s probably one of the best indie docs we’ve ever seen.
What do you do when countless droves of ‘foreigners’ descend upon the land your people have owned and lived on for generations? “Bin Yah”(translated “Been Here”) does it’s best to explore the answers to this and other questions with which these people have been faced as we “Come Yahs” gobble up their very identity. The 56 minute film carefully details the historical distribution of local land after the Civil War, the freedmen who purchased the tracks that eventually became many of the black communities in the area, and the subsequent development of encroaching property that threatens to destroy their culture.
We’ve all seen the sweetgrass basket-maker’s shacks that dot Hwy 17 from the 4 Mile community near the massive Towne Center mall to the 7 mile community near Park West. At some point, most of us have even stopped to browse the living art galleries and purchase some of these coveted pieces of history. We did not, however, fully understand their story or the implications of our mere presence.
Di and I have noticed a marked decline in the number of the basket shacks in recent years, and many others sit abandoned and deteriorating today. The movie certainly goes a long way in explaining the reasons for this. Besides being taxed out of the land by the exponential increase in property values caused by development, the roadway expansion and widening on 17 has made it impossible for them to even cross the street to get to the places where they earned a living for decades. Add to those things the loss of traditional sweetgrass harvesting sites in the local creeks and marshes to gated communities, and you have a systemic devastation of an entire culture. The director included some telling aerial views of the Weeds-esque “little boxes” of the Park West and Dunes West communities that say a lot more than any of the interviews ever will.
In fact, the movie more or less made us want to move away from Mt P. even though we live on property that’s been developed for half a century.
We meet some of these people from time to time in our business, and they are some of the most honest, caring, genuine people you will ever meet. Unfortunately, their days are increasingly numbered, and they’re being driven to North Charleston or areas further away from the coast.
Realistically, the most this film may do is document this sad, unnecessary, greed-driven upheaval. As the Bin Yah website states, “Bin Yah will attempt to preserve - at least on film - the memories of the special places that may be lost forever as the struggle between the real “bin yahs” and the “come yahs” escalates.”
So whether you’re local to Mt. Pleasant or simply like a good documentary, we highly recommend purchasing the DVD here.
If things continue the way they have, our only memories of these people may be documentaries like this and the slew of historical markers already posted on that swollen stretch of Hwy. 17.
ShotsFromTheBattery.com and NateandDi.com have officially merged as the on-line home of Nate and Di Fulmer. Formerly the site of The Nate and Di Show during the infancy of the podcasting movement, Shots from 
June 15th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Damn. didn’t even know about this documentary. I’ve been thinking of doing a portrait series of road side basketweavers.
I’ll have to check it out.
June 16th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
What a thoughtful, personal and responsible reaction to the film, Nate and Di.
Thank you.
I am the Director of this film, “Bin Yah”.
“Realistically, the most this film may do is document this sad, unnecessary, greed-driven upheaval…”
I completely understand the frustration behind this statement. To a large extent I share it with you! I also think the fact that you have seen the value in this story and that you are writing about it and even mention wanting to move away, albeit a little drastic if truly carried out, and you probably wont or shouldnt (I’d feel terrible! - you can come stay with me) speaks to the fact that something is being done - the dialogue needs to, and has to be continued, shared and passed on. I believe it all starts with having the knowledge. I am a filmmaker so I was able to do record this - you have a blog, so you are able to write about it. ETV is broadcasting it. Communities are screening it. This may go a long way towards the powerful actions of late for folks to take control of their own neighborhoods and manage growth in their own communities over the past few years. The “almighty dollar” as one person put it, has won (a big) round one, maybe. Thankfully, there are entirely new commissions of people that do the difficult, everyday work to ensure that these historic lands and communities are identified and preserved, for the benefit and education of the public, such as the Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor. Congressmen Clyburn authored the legislation that created the Corridor. This is one giant step forward in this effort.
It is our hope that “Bin Yah” can be used as a tool to represent some of the thoughts and feelings of the community, and it would be wonderful it was made part of a larger educational agenda in some way.
Unfortunately, there were some grave mistakes made by planners many years ago which went a long way towards the disenfranchisement of these beautiful, historic neighborhoods. And it’s people. (who could teach us all a lesson in the concept of land, home and family.)
And this is what you can see in an 8-lane Highway 17 right through the 4 mile community, and bumper to bumper traffic on RTE 41.
There are many things that people moving into this area (and locals) can do if they care about the destruction of their own historic neighborhoods: (Because it is probably why they moved there in the first place?)
+ Go to Town and City Council meetings. Learn what is being planned and voted on. It is a great way to become friendly with your neighbors, and become an active participant / community member. There are caring council members who need and want your input, but you must speak up.
+Write to your local government on every level. Gather petitions.
+Research, join and support local organizations that help preserve culture, conservation and preservation. Keep talking about the issues. Go to local events and support them.
+Stop by and talk to some of the basket makers on highway 17 and buy a basket. These baskets are unique, one of a kind art pieces that are incredible gifts and collectors items. The women and men who create them are some of the kindest, friendliest, funniest, sincere people you will ever meet anywhere. And again, if you ever want to learn about the concept of home, and family, start here.
+Grab a map and drive around Scanloville/Remley’s Point, 4 mile, 6 mile, 7 mile, Snowden, 10 mile, 15 mile, Hamlin, Phillips (to start) - and support local businesses.
+Recommend “Bin Yah” - especially to folks moving here now so they have a sense of the land they are moving on to. Send a copy to your local development association or board. Share it with the younger generations.
+Contact us - we would be happy to help you put together a screening for your community, church, event, etc. and help tie in some other things that one can do to become involved.
Once again, thank you for watching “Bin Yah”, for ‘getting it’ and for writing about it. This issue is tied into such a fragile, hushed part of history that many still find uneasy to speak freely about. I think we were fortunate in getting the interviews we did, and because of it I am deeply invested in this subject. We can move forward I think with a renewed sense of what is important, truly learn about and become good stewards of our own and realize that while growth and development may be inevitable, it is all about how to manage it’s future so there is a continued aesthetic and historical value that can be seen, felt and heard for lifetimes to come. There is no need for destruction of ANY culture for what we call progress! Let’s move forward and listen to what the generations of families who have lived and built this land and area have to say about it!
Respectfully,
Justin Nathanson
Director, “Bin Yah”
http://www.binyahfilm.org
June 17th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Justin. “Moving away” was probably a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, so don’t worry
But it did seem to adequately surmise our emotions after viewing the film.
I know Nate said this all above, but I just want to reiterate how much we enjoyed the film. You did an excellent job with it.
I’m thinking about buying a copy for my dad, who lives in Dunes West (not that my evil stepmother would move if their house was built upon dead babies) but maybe it will make an impact.
We’ll definitely look to some of your suggestions for making a difference, especially when it comes to going to town council meetings!
Anyway, we wish you the best of luck with your next project. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help when the time comes.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Thank you!