We are African people -- the majority of our ancestors are African. They were kidnapped, stolen from Africa, and brought to this country. With a hate-filled greed and vengeance, those who stole us did their best to cut us off from our roots. They did their best to make us forget who we were. They did their best to make us think that we were less than. Most tragically, they did their best to teach us to hate ourselves and to hate each other. Unfortunately, they were way too successful with their program. Because even now too many of us don’t connect with our heritage, don’t know our strengths, don’t believe that our natural beauty and brilliance are enough and don’t know that we are super powerful beings!
At Nsoromma we work really hard to instill a sense of empowerment among our students and families by connecting our history and our heritage to all that we do. We tell our students that they are beautiful and fully capable of excellence. We help them to see that, as Dr. Asa Hilliard - Nana Baffour says, “It is natural is to be whole, to be in balance and harmony.” We help them see how they are excellent and how they have the power to reach their goals. |
We focus on making our historical connections to Africa, because in the tens of thousands of years that we have been on this planet we have:
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It’s only been in the last few hundred years that we have seen colonialism, apartheid, American chattel slavery, and inhumane discrimination and racism. “Black History” did not begin in 1619. Our history began over 16,000 years ago. Our history begins with ourstory -- what we did, how we lived, what we believed, and the structures we created to educate, to heal, to govern, to affirm and to show gratitude – when we were whole, knew who we were and loved who we were.
Once we truly understand that, then we can talk about this isfet period that we’re in now with its oppressive and racist policies and laws, its values and practices that are not aligned to the African principles of Maât and that are not reflected in the wisdom of our adinkra symbols. When we understand our heritage, our culture, and our history, then we will understand what our goals and purposes are and we can respond accordingly, together. |
When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. – African proverb
Resources:
Malcolm X – “Who taught you to hate yourself?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm9pEWIPjks
Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III – “What do we tell our children?” http://www.orondeamiller.com/archives/2298
African history resources:
African History Classes - https://www.shrineoftheblackmadonna9.org/african-history-class/
Malcolm X – “Who taught you to hate yourself?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm9pEWIPjks
Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III – “What do we tell our children?” http://www.orondeamiller.com/archives/2298
African history resources:
African History Classes - https://www.shrineoftheblackmadonna9.org/african-history-class/