Honoring our Ancestors of Resistance

The month of February is designated Black History Month. We uphold the notion that our history, culture and values are to be celebrated and practiced every day of the year. Today, we take a moment to highlight two Ancestors of resistance to draw upon their fierce tenacity to fight on behalf of their people. 

First, we honor Queen Nanny of Jamaica. Queen Nanny was heavily influenced by the Maroons when she fled her plantation to the Blue Mountains area. It was here where she organized a village called Nanny Town which would provide safe harbor to newly freed Africans. Queen Nanny's skillful organizing skills led to her to freeing more that 800 enslaved Africans and helped them to resettle in the Maroon community. 

Next up, we have Baba Sekou Touré who is known as an independence movement hero. Touré was born to a poor Muslim farming family and was considered unruly in his early years. He was a union leader and organized several strikes and was quite a persuasive speaker. He also led a successful campaign for Guinea's independence from French occupation. His campaign was successful as the people of Guinea chose to complete independence in 1958 and he was elected president of the first independent French speaking state in Africa. 

We recognize, honor and celebrate our Ancestors of resistance today and every day as the fight for our liberation and freedom still exists today. May we not be blinded by the distractions of the world and prioritize people over things. May we learn from their strength, determination and vision so that we may see and dream bigger and brighter. 

*Information taken from Kamali Academy, 50 Africans You Must Know Vol. 1 by Dr. Samori Camara, Shi'heem Wallis and Elijah Mitchell

KOW Celebration 2022

 

Keepers of the Way travelled to Montgomery, AL to visit both the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice Sunday June 26, 2022. Our decision to not have our typical Celebration in the park was an expansion of the way we celebrate by acknowledging all that we know has transpired. To those, whose lives have been taken, we MUST remember. They are our fortification to stand strong, they are the voices that drive us to remember ALL of our history so that our resilience is fortified though truth and fact. This interactive and deeply compelling exhibit was well worth the trip. We arrived around 11:00 am local time and began our museum visit shortly thereafter. 

“The Legacy Museum employs unique technology to tell the story of how slavery evolved through the eras of racial terror lynchings, legalized racial segregation, and mass incarceration…These compelling visual and data-rich exhibits give visitors the opportunity to investigate America’s history of racial injustice and its legacy, and to connect generations of Americans impacted by the narrative of racial difference.”

Our experience far exceeded our expectations with the diverse amount of information, the knowledge filled documentaries in the various theaters to the interactive and immersive exhibits they had throughout. The Legacy Museum is a must see for all (appropriate for ages 12 and up).

We then visited The National Memorial for Peace and Justice which “is the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved African Americans humiliated by racial segregation, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.” The shear enormity of people listed, known and unknown, was mind blowing. It was quite an intense and humbling memorial. We left with a mixed bag of emotions from anger and confusion to sadness and grief to hope and inspiration. 

KOW will sponsor another trip at a later date. If you are interested, feel free to email us or contact us on FB. We encourage everyone to plan a trip and visit the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL.