The Story



We are All Antarctica is a story about my father George W. Gibbs, Jr’s adventures as the first person of African descent to set foot on the continent of Antarctica. He sailed on the famous ship the USS Bear in 1939 to 1941 on Admiral Byrd’s III expedition to the South Pole. It was the first joint venture with the US military and private exploration. Gibbs went on to serve humanity in countless ways, paving the way for not only people of color in the community of Rochester, MN but for all people to become more human, serve their community and appreciate differences.

Through compassion, tenacity, faith and countless hours in the trenches, Gibbs’ life is a model for community service, equality and fun. As the lowest rank on the ship, he was honored for his contribution at a time when people with dark skin were considered less than human.

This story integrates my experiences with natural healing, the arts, the science of the ice, the metaphysics of the South Pole and the history of the expedition and its mystery.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Can you imagine how amazing the water tastes, from the lake the Russian's found last weekend?? Lake Vostok is the first lake to break through to liquid water, down two miles!  It hasn't seen light or air in 15 to 34 million years!!  See the ice cores they pulled up.
Yesterday, a first grader at Gibbs Elementary asked what do I want to see in Antarctica?  I want to experience the ocean, the rocks, the horizon, the penguins, whales and speak to the scientists that are on King George Island year round.
Today, I discovered that you get very dirty from penguin waste on your shoes and your pants.  If you want to film them, you have to sit on your butt and get on their level.  Makes me want to visit the 'gently used' clothing store.  I need waterproof/wind proof pants that I won't worry about soiling!

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