African Burial Grounds

This week Dr. Mark Mac came and spoke with us about the African Burial Grounds in New York , in which we are to be visiting. I truly enjoyed how he did not just speak of these people as former slaves who died and were buried in this area and then were found years later; he told their stories. He spoke of the people there and described each one with their personal story and what might of happened to them causing their death.

I feel as though this monument was made to acknowledge those who would otherwise go unknown. Our American history only speaks of blacks who did extraordinary acts, but fails to mention those who suffered through the torture of slavery and were savagely murdered, which in itself is an extraordinary act. These are people who lived day by day working themselves literally down to the bone. This monument tells the stories of these individuals and allows the African American generation of today to learn about their ancestors.

Howard University was chosen to uncover the remains because no other school would have been suffice. Howard is an institution that radiates the true meaning of what it means to be a African American. In the uncovering of the remains, it would only be proper if the same kind of bones that are buried uncover them. I really would like to attend the trip to the grounds and believe that it would really change my view point on my ancestral history. Simply hearing this lecture from Dr. Mac opened my eyes to see how my people once lived.