African Burial Ground

Aisha J. Brownlee
Monday 12:10-1:00
Last week’s trip to New York to see the African Burial ground was breath taking. Before this freshman seminar class I never heard of this story and the findings of Africans beneath Manhattan. I find it so incredible how before people were just building and building on top of the ancestors without knowing. The findings of these African people are so essential and have made a vital contribution to the historical memory of this country. I cannot fault blacks for wanting other black scholars to research the African people and I can say that I am proud to say that I am attending the school that helped make such a profound contribution to history. I connected deeply to the first part of the trip where we poured libations, paid respect to the ancestors. Africans are the ones who built this country and to be in the presence of those who made many sacrifices was moving and a very powerful moment. I think it so beautiful how after the research was done on them, the researchers put their bodies back into the ground and held a traditionally African burial for the ancestors. The only thing that I can say disappointed me was the fact that I wasn’t there to witness such a breakthrough in not only African history but American history as well. The second half of the trip where we went to Harlem was entertaining. I never thought of visiting Harlem but am thrilled that I was able to visit such a cultural place, with a lot of history and life. The trip to New York was such a remarkable cultural experience and the African Burial ground is a historical monument that should be visited by all.