October 2nd was definitely a day that I will never forget. It’s one of the very few days in my life where I actually was up close and personal with my own African American history and heritage. Upon awaking that morning on the bus, I was slammed immediately with just the rich heritage and culture of New York itself. Watching sellers and pizza delivery bikers in the freezing cold, hustling for better life, was motivation itself to me, motivation for not only change for my life, but for African Americans everywhere. After departing the bus Dr. Carr introduced us to the sacred burials underground that was just a small symbolization of the vast amounts of blacks that were buried at that very site. Shortly after his introduction, Dr. Carr then proceeded to pour water and recite prayers, in respect to our African American ancestors and their struggle.
Inside the grounds were just absolutely mind blowing. The amount of history and pain that single ground harbored was something I totally was not prepared for. From the documentary of the process of how the burial grounds came about, to the artifacts and models that were exhibited, it was then, at that moment, that I began to actually FEEL the pain and struggle those before my felt as well. Afterwords we ran into our own, Howard alum, who was also a guide for the grounds. She and Dr. Carr led our group through the momentous work of the grounds architect, relaying to us the connection between it and our rich legacy.
This trip to New York, to my African Burial grounds was a trip both unexpected and ground breaking. The information that I received from it will be at the pinnacle of MY motivation for change of ANY inequality against MY people.
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