The Sankofa Projects at Hampton Heritage Day ~ Fort Monroe April 12, 2014

On Saturday, April 12, 11 am -5 pm, the Hampton History Museum hosted Hampton Heritage Day which honors the three cultures; the Indian, the Settler and the African who have made the city of Hampton what it is today. The Sankofa Projects began with a supplication to the ancestors. The Sankofa Project Remembrance Drummers orchestrated by Baba Sikli of Akebuland Ensemble started the program off with traditional African drumming and song. Chadra Pittman Walke, Founder and Executive Director of The Sankofa Projects gave remarks on the importance of Remembrance in her talk "3 cultures and 3 experiences on 1 soil." Also at the event, were the Legacy of Weyanoke, the Ubuntu Dance Collective, the Meherrin and Iroquois Nation and the 17th century English Music performers.

Heritage Day was a beautiful display of the Indian, European and African cultures which are the foundation of what makes Hampton the city that it is today. Despite how horrific moments in history have been, the Adinkra symbol Sankofa teaches us the importance of looking back, even and especially at the painful parts of our history so that we can move forward with a better understanding of who we were and learn from our past.

Mayor George Wallace, Councilman Moffett and Councilman Tuck were in attendance lending their support. Bravo to the Hampton History Museum for their vision for this event. Partners Hampton History Museum, Hampton Parks & Recreation, Hampton Citizens' Unity Commission, Hampton University Museum, Lighting the Way Education, Meherrin Nation, Project 1619, The Sankofa Projects, Tucker Family Society, Weyanoke Association for Red-Black History & Culture Photo credits: Alicia Phillips, Mikel Fuller, Dmitri Clawson and Marie Woodard

Age Appropriate honesty

I am grateful for this life, my and your health, my family and wonderful friends who feel like family, sunsets and rainy days and for the joie de vivre I feel each and every day. In the spirit of being thankful, which I am--I always feel a bit peculiar on this holiday as I always try to imagine what it felt like for my Native ancestors during this time in history. Having young children, I am cognizant of the romanticized version of the story which they are often taught which is why my boys always get an addendum to their school lessons. I choose "age appropriate" honesty with my children and teach them about how brave our ancestors were in spite of it all. love and gratitude

Shifting the Blame: The Need for Critical Thinking around Slavery

“Don’t be afraid to say that Africans were sold into slavery by Africans.” is what a member shared at a recent meeting I attended. I was perplexed in that meeting and still am today as to why would one make such a declaration. I ask that we consider “in what context are we making this statement, to whom are we making it and for what reason?” No one denies that Africans were involved in the trade however, broad sweeping statements like these and the recent article by Dr. Henry Louis Gates,(see link for article below) which seek to absolve Europeans of their involvement in slavery, are serving what purpose? It seems to me that this is merely a shifting of the blame and we are losing sight of the overall horror and tragedy of this “peculiar institution.” According to the United Nations, the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade or the Middle Passage has been documented as “the largest forced migration in history, and incontrovertibly one of the most inhumane.” We know that American chattel slavery was an evil chapter in our global history which ripped families apart, devastated a continent while laying the foundation for wealth in countries across the globe as Eric Williams points out in his brilliant work, Capitalism and Slavery. What about the enormous economic gains which benefited every country/continent involved except Africa, the distribution of power and the role "race" played in the trade? Can we merely say Africans sold other Africans without contextualizing this further? On a side note, but relevant to this topic, some scholars will argue that the historical record shows that "Free Blacks/Africans owned others Africans during slavery.” However, it was not that simple. Many of these “Free Black slave owners” were purchasing the freedom of their loved ones and family members. Here in lies the problem with narration. These "Free blacks" were considered "slave owners" in the historical record but their relationships were familial not bound by a racist based perpetual system. As one committed to honoring and remembering my ancestors and in the spirit of balance, I offer another perspective for you to consider. This article “ Henry Louis Gates is Wrong about African Involvement in the Slave Trade was written by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante in 2010. Dr. Asante is the Chair of African American Studies at Temple University and is considered one of the most distinguished contemporary scholars. We must do more than shift the blame and we must begin to think critically about issues around slavery. We can not absolve nor justify slavery. Click here: Henry Louis Gates is Wrong about African Involvement in the Slave Trade | Dr. Molefi Kete Asante Gates article: http://hiphopandpolitics.com/2010/04/23/henry-louis-gates-pens-article-absolving-white-people-for-slavery-wants-us-to-blame-africans/

My love letter to Princess Tiana...

This is my love letter to Tiana (a little girl in Tulsa, Oklahoma who was denied entry in school because of her hair. According to the Deborah Brown Community School, her locks were considered "unacceptable" and against school guidelines. The administrators went as far to say her hair locks were considered a "distraction") The policy states that “Hairstyles such as dreadlocks, afros, mohawks and other faddish styles are unacceptable.” I quote Dr. Yaba Blay who states that "dreadlocks, afros, and mohwaks are our original hairstyles and our peple have been wearing them since the beginning of time! Go Dr. Blay!! (I believe 'our' to denote African and Native people based on the images in her beautiful Locs of love creation of images and letters in support of Tiana) I felt a need to speak out because I stand up against injustice and discrimination at every turn. I also believe that "Silence is the voice of complicity." as Poet, Activist, Author, Poet and now Ancestor Queen Mother Audre Lorde said. This is more than just a story about a little girls hair. I see this as a subtle or maybe not too subtle attack on our young girls of African descent and how they express themselves culturally. This ban against her hair and traditional styles worn by people of African descent shows a deep rooted disrespect and denial of expression for the ways people of African descent show up in the world. I don't buy into the system that places one type of beauty over another. We know that historically, This ban against her hair and traditional styles worn by people of African descent shows a deep rooted disrespect and denial of expression for the ways black women and women of African descent show up in the world. Historically, the standard of beauty globally for women has been European based; placing any characteristics which do not fit into that model as less desirable and unappealing. Now yes, there are a few models of African descent who have broken through the European standard but they are the exception not the rule and at best they are often exocticized. Whether it is the hair, complexion, body shapes of African women (look at the recent Miley Cyrus VMA video gestures toward black women's posterior and historically what was done to Sarah Baartman)to see the exploitation of women of African descent. Globally women are lightening and bleaching their skin and the ubiquitous sale hair weaves as examples of the desire to fit the European/Western standard of beauty. One can look at the rise of some Asian women who are getting double eyelid surgery to have Western eyes.(http://culturevisuelle.org/introtovc/archives/606) No judgement here, however we must look at how damaging it is when we are bombarded with images that are imbalanced and place one standard of beauty ABOVE all others. Look at what women and girls are doing to themselves worldwide. It is tragic. So when a little 7 year old girl wears her hair in it's natural state and embraces her natural beauty, what happens? She is told her hair is unacceptable, ugly, a distraction. It is pretty obvious to see that her school has bought into and through its guidelines is perpetuating a racist and ethnocentric model of beauty and that is WRONG! I find this ban against locks just as ludicrous as banning male Scottish students from wearing kilts because the standard in America is that men "typically" don't wear skirts. How can an institution, private school or not, deny a student their right of self expression and ban them from identifying with their cultural heritage. Note to the Deborah Brown Community School is that when you have guidelines which target a particular group (ethnic, sexual orientation, gender, religious,or other) and you deny them entry based on who they are--that is discrimination!! This school is targeting hairstyles which are typically worn by people of African descent. Why are afros, braids, mohawks and locks considered unacceptable yet others hairstyles are not? What is the larger message this school is perpetuating? Whether it is our hair or our physical bodies, the compelling issue which demands our attention is that OUR girls(and boys) and culture are under attack and this has got to stop!! All cultures should be respected and valued and should have the freedom of self expression. We are all beautiful! Dear Tiana, You are a beautiful, smart little girl! You, my beloved are a princess and come from a great line of Queens and majestic women of the continent of Africa, which is known as the cradle of civilization. I was so happy to see the outpouring of love being extended your way from all these beautiful women of African descent who spoke up to support you. I,too, felt a need to join the chorus of voices and write to you this letter filled with love. Your hair is beautiful, regal, rooted in Africa, the mother of all civilization. Your hair represents a rich culture and tradition and is UNIQUELY yours!!! I understand your pain as I have been natural for 19 years and have had every traditional African style, braids, locks, Afro, cornrows. I too have had to face ignorance and deal with comments like people telling me that "having locks messed up at pretty face" and asking me "why would I intentionally try to make my hair nappy?"As if having nappy hair is a bad thing. Well, I say nappy hair is beautiful. And if there is such a thing as good hair, I believe that nappy hair qualifies as GOOD hair. It is strong and made up of tight coils and is simply one texture to many different types of hair. Your hair grows out of your head and is perfect as you are my love. So I understand how painful it can be. The reality is that no one has the right to define our beauty for us except us, only us!! I think your parents are amazing and taking you out of that school w great decision. Your school should be more concerned with what you are learning than the way you choose to wear your hair. And you my love are a great student in school. You recognize the importance of education. These negative comments are mere distractions from what is really important. Leader and activist Marcus Garvey once said, "Remove the kinks from your brain, not from your hair." He too recognized the beauty of our tight coils. Princess Tiana...Love the skin you are in, love your hair despite what the world tells you about you. You are beautiful and smart and a gift to the world! I support you Tiana and all the other little girls who are force fed images of beauty that look nothing like themselves. Be proud and love your hair and the skin you are in. You come from GREATNESS and a beautiful culture of people! With Love, Chadra Pittman Walke #TeamILovemyhairandtheskinIamin!! Note to ALL: The "hair shaming" has to stop and being a private school does not give you a pass to discriminate. Note to Deborah Brown Community School: If you target one specific ethnic group and call hairstyles typically worn by this culture of people "unacceptable"- that is considered DISCRIMINATION! I am so proud of my these women who have come forth to raise their voices and shed an abundance of love to encourage Tiana. Melissa Harris Perry spoke up to defend Tiana. Another reason I love MHP... http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/07/to-a-black-girl-whose-hair-was-deemed-unacceptable/ Thank you Mano Reza Kashef for the MHP clip. Thank you Maat Free for this image sis <3 Queen Thank you Linda Holmes for the clip from Dr.Yaba Blay who created a care package for Tiana. http://issuu.com/yabablay/docs/for_tiana_a_care_package__1_/129?e=3379385%2F4743549

2nd Annual International Day of Remembrance at Buckroe Beach, Hampton Virginia by Chadra Pittman Walke

The tradition of Remembrance seeks to honor the millions of African men, women and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade. Remembrance 2013 was a beautiful outpouring of the diversity of our Hampton community and many others who traveled from Ohio, North Carolina, Richmond, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Maryland to remember with us. The 175 people who gathered at Buckroe Beach came to honor these ancestors , recognize the importance of our shared history and acknowledge the need to heal from the wounds of our collective past. The sky held back the rain and we were spared from the pending storm which was looming above our heads. Partners for this year’s event were: Project 1619, Inc., the Contraband Historical Society, Hampton Parks and Recreation and the Hampton History Museum. The participants on the program gave freely of their time and talents to pay tribute and celebrate these ancestors. The overwhelming sentiment was that Remembrance was cathartic, educational, spiritual, celebratory filled with cultural expressions which honored whose final resting place became the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. For a second year in row, Remembrance connected the Commonwealth of Virginia with this International movement of healing and remembrance as we simultaneously poured a powerful and moving communal libation. We poured with South Carolina, New York, Seattle, Washington, Panama and Ghana, West Africa as we are one community remembering our past, our history and the lives of our ancestors. The city of Hampton is where enslavement began in 1619 with the first "20 and odd" Africans landing at Point Comfort, now Fort Monroe and Fort Monroe became known as "Freedom's Fortress" with thousands of enslaved Africans seeking freedom during the Civil war and became known as "Contrabands of War". Remembrance in Hampton is incredibly significant as this is the place where slavery began in North America. Remembrance seeks to heal from that painful past and preserve the memory of those who perished during the Transatlantic voyage. We are doing as Toni Cade Bambara suggested many years ago- "we are tapping into that ancestral presence" in the waters and we do this in Remembrance of them with honor, respect and love!

Day of Remembrance...

Hampton Remembers: 2nd Annual International Ritual of Remembrance Ceremony at Buckroe Beach On Saturday, June 8, 2013, The Sankofa Projects will host its 2nd Annual International Ritual of Remembrance ceremony on Buckroe Beach in Hampton, VA from 11:00am - 1:00pm. The location of the ceremony will be to the far left of the main stage and beach front at North 1st and Pilot Avenue. The tradition of Remembrance honors and pays tribute to the millions of African, men, women and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade. For the past 23 years, annually on the second Saturday in June, Tributes to the Ancestors/Remembrance ceremonies have occurred in cities throughout the United States and across the globe. A communal libation (spiritual pouring of water) occurs at 12:00 noon simultaneously in Charleston, South Carolina; Brooklyn, New York; Hampton, Virginia; Florida and California, Seattle, Washington and St. Croix, Virgin Islands and internationally in Ghana, West Africa and Portobelo, Panama. Again this year, the traditional libation will be performed by Baba Ifalade of Ile Nago at Buckroe Beach. Join us for a day of healing as we gather around the “Tree of Remembrance”, at the water and on the beach for reflections, drumming, spoken word, a traditional libation and expressions of cultural traditions and prayers. Distinguished guest speaker will be the Honorable Dr. Mary T. Christian, Former House of Delegates. Historical Presentations by Calvin Pearson of Project 1619, Inc., Dance performances by Afro-Cuban Dancer Ife Michelle and The Ubuntu Dance Collective Children directed by Founder, Sunshine Allison. Dr. Joanne M. Braxton, Founder of the Middle Passage Project at the College of William and Mary will read from her play, “Crossing a Deep River: A Ritual Drama in Three Movements”, Ms. Maat Free, Guardian of African Ancestral Remembrance in Richmond, VA will lead our journey through “The Forest of Family Trees”, Presentation given by Author Linda Holmes, Spoken word by Poets LaShawne Bryant and Marisa Poulson and Singer/Songwriter Narissa Bond will perform. “Recognizing the historical significance of Virginia as the birthplace of slavery in America, I knew we had to begin this tradition of Remembrance in the Commonwealth and in the city of Hampton in particular. Hampton is quite unique as it sits on both ends of the spectrum with regards to enslavement and the pursuit of freedom in America. From the arrival of the first ‘20 and odd’ Africans to Point Comfort in 1619 to the ‘Contraband decision’, the beginning and what would become the end of slavery occurred in Hampton.” states Chadra Pittman Walke, Executive Director of The Sankofa Projects; creator of National and International Ritual of Remembrance ceremonies. This event is free and the public is welcome to observe. We ask attendees to wear white clothing, bring beach chairs and umbrellas to shade you. You may bring fresh flowers for the offering. Partners for this year’s ceremony are Project 1619, Inc., the Contraband Historical Society, Hampton Parks and Recreation and the Hampton History Museum. For more information, contact Chadra Pittman Walke of The Sankofa Projects at chadrapw@gmail.com or 757-816-1579. ###

2nd Annual International Ritual of Remembrance at Buckroe Beach- Hampton Virginia on June 8th 11-1pm