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Welcome back to the African Roots Podcast!
You can reach me at AfricanRootsPodcast@gmail.com
Hello to everyone from the very hot and steamy Mid-Atlantic coast where temperatures have climbed up to the high 90s and in the Washington area even topped 100 degrees!
In addition, we have been under a major power outage in the Mid-Atlantic, when a “derecho” storm hit the area last Friday evening. In my area the high winds and rain lasted only 15 minutes then blip—all power was gone. As of this moment on Friday morning—still no power after a week. Hopefully we will get power later today as several power trucks are now on the street and working on lines and transformers.
I only have a few events to mention as I have not been able to collect much information about upcoming events as I have been offline, most of the time. This weekend in Colonial Williamsburg a special event honoring Patriots of Color will be held and tomorrow on July 7th a special program for young people will also be held. The focus will be looking at the impact that early African Virginians had on American life.
There is an event in Maryland called Walk A Mile, Walk A Minute in The Footsteps of the Enslaved of Hampton Plantation. This is an historic plantation estate that has a unique program. The park ranger is Angela Roberts-Burton, speaking about those who were enslaved at Hampton Plantation. In addition to listening to her presentation they are offering a unique experience for visitors to experience the labor that enslaved people performed at Hampton. They are inviting visitors to use the tools, work in the fields, carry the buckets of water and feel the lives of the slaves. Also included at Hampton is The African Diaspora Ancestral Commemoration Institute, where there will be speakers, artists, drummers and a particular ceremony to commemorate those who lived, toiled and died at Hampton Plantation. They are in inviting people to place upon the altar the names of anyone who were enslaved. For more information about all of the activities at Hampton Plantation, contact Angela Roberts-Burton, 410-823-1309 ext 208.
This kind of experience does also bring attention to the efforts of Joe McGill who is sleeping in various slave cabins around the south and who had chosen to put himself in the place of the enslaved. He has traveled to multiple states with this experience, and I hope there will be a book or documentary about what he has undertaken. For more information about his project click here.
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A reminder for those in the Delmarva area a new organization is forming:
Delmarva African American Historical & Genealogical SocietyThere has been interest in forming an organization focused on Eastern Shore and regional African American history and genealogy as a means of networking and sharing information. They are still seeking more interest and input. Their website has been created, at www.aahgsdelmarva.wordpress.com. One can also contact Linda Duyer at 443-366-2451.
Well this past week of being in darkness and heat for the past week which has made me to realize what our ancestors went through and even what my parents went through. They grew up in the 1930s without electric power when they were children, and they had no life with the gadgets that keep us entertained and that keep us comfortable.
I am grateful that this power outage took place in the summer and not the winter. The situation of having no power has made me appreciate time with friends, with family. Neighbors are pulling up chairs in each other’s yards and talking and getting to know each other. I appreciate having the chance to know people whom I never knew other than a wave. And this time has made me see the value of slowing down and appreciating people as well as taking time to write and communicate in a meaningful way with those close to us.
In the meantime, I do look forward to getting back to the swing of things again, and to hearing from all of you. Thanks for taking time to listen, and remember to keep researching, keep documenting and keep sharing what you find.
Thank you for this post, Angela. I like the sound of the “Walk a Mile, Walk a Minute” event in Maryland. Maybe our culture is changing for the better–a few generations ago, it was all about how beautiful and grand those old plantations were, and now the focus has shifted to re-imagining the lives of the enslaved. I think that is definitely some progress.