Aunt Tami, do you know where our family is, like, from?
My 13-year-old nephew called me on the phone yesterday wondering about our family’s roots. I have written often about how my research into my family history and DNA testing has strengthened my understanding of my identity (here, here, here and here), but this moment illustrated another reason why I will spend hours evaluating one line on an old census or spend hundreds of dollars for an analysis of genetic material. I want the youngest of my family members to be proud of their heritage, their cultural history and where their ancestors come from. Living in a society that marginalizes and stereotypes much of who you are can feel like a constant assault. Their knowledge of the past can be part of their armor, protecting their self worth.
My nephew is visiting my mom and dad in Gary, Indiana, this week. The city is still–believe it or not–in the midst of the mania that followed Michael Jackson’s death. So, my mother and nephew headed across town to 2300 Jackson St., the King of Pop’s former home, to witness fans’ celebration of their idol’s life.
In the car, after looking at the shrines and notes left by people who hail from around the globe, my nephew offered: “I feel like I am going to cry. everybody else is from somewhere. I mean, we’re African American, but we really don’t know where we’re from. We’re from nowhere.”
In the spring, my nephew’s class at his predominantly white school studied the people, places and cultures of Europe and the Americas. And he says that he noticed this study included very little about the contributions of people of African descent. In the history of America, his ancestors were slaves and, it seems, nothing else. I am proud that my nephew had the presence of mind to recognize this inequity and ask his teacher whether some information about black Americans and the role of Africa in the building of the United States might be forthcoming. I am enraged, however, to know the answer he received from his teacher. The class wouldn’t be covering information about black and African peoples, because “The school system doesn’t want any trouble.”
WTF?
This classroom exploration and celebration of the rich history of Europe and the brave European men who “discovered, “conquered and colonized America (to the exclusion of any acknowlegdment of the history and contributions of anyone else–particularly people of color) left my nephew feeling rootless and unsure of his place in his own country. After all, to discuss his people is merely to invite “trouble.”
My nephew never spoke about his feelings until yesterday, when the international outpouring of grief for a pop star reminded him that black people have no importance in this country and no knowledge of any other country or culture to embrace. And he called me.
I told him, we are not from nowhere. Our matrilineal line traces back to the Balanta and Fula people in Guinea-Bissau, the Mende in Sierra Leone, and the Mandinka in Senegal. And those countries and peoples have rich histories. Balanta, by the way, translates to “those who resist,” because Portugese colonizers found them difficult to “govern.” (Ha!) I have e-mailed a plantation I once visited in Vacherie, Louisiana, because I recall docents there explaining how the enslaved Senegalese who helped build the ornate Creole home were skilled artisans and builders, chosen specifically for their knowledge. Through a ripped out piece of wall, tour guides show how the home’s original foundation (planned by African builders) remains far superior to the parts of the home built more than a hundred years later with modern materials and contractors. I want to prove to my nephew that our people never were just beasts of burden.
I will tell him that black history is a part of American history and we have contributed greatly to the founding of this country. Our story is not solely one of dysfunction and despair. I will tell him about his paternal great-great-great-grandfather, who was born enslaved but within the decade after emancipation had taught himself to read and write and acquired land that remains in the family to this day. He also founded the first school in his town for African American children. One of my nephew’s maternal great-great-great uncles was an educator who was tapped by Booker T. Washington to help open the first black school in Tuskegee, Alabama. And there are lots more stories–some big and inspiring, some seemingly small and mundane.
This opportunity–to not just talk vaguely of African kings and queens in an attempt to boost a child’s self-esteem, but to share real stories of real people–I think, is priceless.
A lot of people don’t get my interest in the past. “Isn’t genealogy something old folks are into? Why are you bothered with that?”
This is why. This is why.
Oh, the irony…
Last week, the town where my nephew lives (and I live with my husband and stepson) was named among the top 10 places to raise a family by a major magazine. This isn’t the first time our city has earned this tag, and like always, one of the things to be praised is the great school system. Interesting how “greatness” can be relative, depending on who your children are.
not to mention that african american families go back in the US many many hundreds of years. on my grandfather’s side, our family reunion is quite large (over 500 people), which is in part due to genealogical work put in by my uncle’s and aunt’s generation.
when i took time off at work to attend the reunion one summer, my description of it at our team meeting was met with amazement by coworkers who weren’t able to trace their family tree much farther than 1-2 generations before ellis island.
i say all that to say, although african americans are made to feel rootless due to the “slave experience”– our families are actually among the most firmly rooted in the U.S.
also this is why Children of Color need supplemental materials and education at home from loving, concerned parents.
I am in the middle of reading “Lies My Teacher Told Me” a book I bought in Georgia last January at the first African American firestation while I was touring MLK’s memorial. (We were in the middle of adopting our two beautiful AA sons.) Seems like there is A LOT the public school systems and textbooks get wrong or incomplete. Not just with African American history, but Native American history as well. A lot of text books are told from a white person’s perspective. Most either gloss over certain parts of history or don’t mention key elements at all .
I am definately going to have to suppliment my two son’s education with things that aren’t taught in schools. But that’s okay. I truly believe that we (as a family) will benefit from the extra effort it takes to research history ourselves.
Only two continents “worthy” of consideration? That is shameful and disgusting.
Your nephew is lucky to have a family historian. Even if his school had come through, knowing the details of his ancestors’ lives is a far richer experience of history and heritage.
Seriously . . . WTF? They don’t want any “trouble?” I think I just threw up in my mouth. I’m so sorry.
There was a good interview of Obama on AC360 last night, and again tonight, about his feelings visiting the continent of Africa. At least our president gets the historical import. I hope it can trickle down to our schools.
Wow,
Your nephew’s experience completely mirror my own in elementary school…almost thirty years ago. When it was time for International Day at my mostly White school, and everybody had to dress up like their ancestors, I thought I had to dress like a slave!
I wrote about this in my book, Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain, and how feeling like I came from nothing really shaped my early years. Now, as a writer and educator, I always try to expand the public perception of Black American history.
Also, my next book is going to be about my own family history, going back as far as I can. Hopefully even more Black people will learn where they come from and share their stories! Obviously it is needed.
@Tammy – You might want to read Howard Zinn’s _A People’s History of the US_ as well – it’s got a lot of the stories that don’t get told in the classroom. Remember, history is written by the winners…
Dear Tami,
Is your nephew old enough to watch the PBS films “African American Lives”, “African American Lives 2″, and “Finding Oprah’s Roots: Finding Your Own”? They are available on Netflix and of course at PBS. I found them incredibly moving. Famous black men and women who knew little about their ancestry cried and showed joy, disbelief, and relief as they learned some of the missing pieces. Watching it with your nephew would also give you a chance to talk more about his feelings since it models that it’s okay to show one’s emotions on this topic. Perhaps Henry Gates Jr. will make a version that is appropriate for young children.
This is a beautiful post, thank you.
While I would like to be more connected to the larger African diaspora, and, perhaps, even visit Ghana one day, I am more than satisfied to say that my extended family – my ancestors – is from South Carolina. I personally don’t feel a real need at this point in my life to do the “Alex Haley” thing, as extraordinary as that journey was. Furthermore, my people have inhabited the United States for many more generations than many White Americans, and that aspect needs to be highlighted for Black American children. We don’t necessarily need to go back to the so-called motherland/fatherland to claim a heritage. It is right here, in the United States.
Marcy,
I agree with you that African Americans have a rich heritage here in THIS country, which is why I have always been suspicious of vague pan-African celebration about supposed kings and queens. But, in this case, my nephew was specifically asking about AFRICAN heritage, because his class had been studying the European countries that contributed to the building of the United States of America and the African contribution was noticeably absent. In my response to him, I gave him information about both his American heritage AND his African heritage, which I think is a reasonable response in this case.
I applaude your efforts and triumphs in research. The time and effort you put in will benefit your Nephew and his future tremendously.
I too feel like knowing where you came from can help you on your journey forward. I have family trees set up for both of my daughters – one of which is biracial (Noelle), the other has a European ancestry that I have back to the 1600s. Noelle’s Paternal Grandfather is from Barbados, and her Paternal Grandmother is African American. I have traced the family back to slave schedules, and then, tragically, it stops. I was heartbroken at the blunt end to my search – and if my husband shared my enthusiasm I could possibly try a DNA test – but sadly, his troubles with his immediate family leaves him with no interest in his roots. How wonderful it would be to anwer the question when it arises from Noelle “where am I from?” Because she is from so many beautiful places I’m sure.
Thank you for sharing this – it makes me feel my efforts are not wasted.