The Most Inspiring Moments, Events & Happenings in Ourstory

[Kwadwo Gyasi Nkita-Mayala]

So often ourstory is characterized as a long winding series of defeats at the hands of our enemies. Our victories often seems elusive, short-lived or just plain absent all together. The discussions sometimes start with "we fought hard...but" "we were winning but then...capture, betrayal, reprisals" In the ultimate sense it can definitely be said that we have not won given that the same system of domination and exploitation that reached into the womb of Afrika and snatched out our ancestors, scattering us to all corners of this earth, is still oppressing us today. Nevertheless, the mere fact that we are here, thinking & talking about Afrika with the knowledge that we ourselves are Afrikans is a testament to our victories not our defeats.

With that said, I'm curious what you all consider to be some of the most inspiring, triumphant moments, events and or happenings in Ourstory. Big or small, short or protracted, recent or ancient, widely documented or largely unknown--tell us your story! tell us the stories that will further inspire us to victory!

[Kimathi]

The Haitian Revolution. They defeated the strongest militaries of the day, essentially bringing about the eventual ending of the enslavement of Africans. (By the way, this is probably an understatement.)

[Norman Hill]

Brother I agree with you . I have been fortunate to work with some of our younger Brothas' and Sistas' and I have been pleasantly surprized at how they hunger for information that they are not always aware is available to them. Of course their are things about their behaviour some may find offensive, it always helps me to remebmer that I was once perceived this way myself though I may have been a little less abrasive towards others. I try to constantly remember that the times they are a changing and they are merely a reflection of that change. I would not want to be teen coming up in these times the attacks on them from all fronts are so relentless and the numbers of us reaching back to help guide them out are so few and far between . I was once told that children are only thirty of our population, but one hundred percent of our future and this statement I found so profound it bears constantly repeating to makes us aware that we must prepare them to carry on for us once we do WIN the next battle less we lose focus again.

[iya adel'oni]

Greetings!
Facing the event of turning 40 years old det into motion a "great awakening" This great awakening was surreal and full of expectations for wonderful changes or happenings in my life. My wardrobe had become primarily traditional clothing. These clothing gave me a sense of pride, being of royalty. Dressing this way set forth thoghts of initiations, culture. One initiation which prevailed was partaking in a Rites of Passage program. This interest facilitated a journey into unfamiliar as well as uncharted areas.
Undaunted, I continued at my task to find an initiation. I discovered that Medgar Evers College located in Brooklyn NYC was sponsoring "The 21st Century Womens Rites of Passage." This program was a triumph and lead me to my current religion.
Because of stepping out on faith, joining a group it aided my awakening which lead me to the path of healing on the inside. You see outside was looking fine, however, the inside was in turmoil.
We know what has happened in the world (maybe) but do we know what is happening on the inside.

[Olushola Camara]

The turning point in one's life comes about as a progression of steps, which prepares one for when that critical point is reached. Mine came about about when I took this class called "The Black Man's Story Class" given by brother Mani at Union Temple Baptist CHurch in Washington DC. The first day of the class he said "You will study history and ourstory but that is not the purpose of this class. The purpose is for you to answer only one question: Why do I act the way I do?.

At the completion of the class my eyes was fully open and it was the beginning of a new journey for me.

[Sucseed]

In my humble Opinion our Greatest will be(sorry), when we Stop saying "what is wrong Black People" or "the Problem with Black People is". Changing our Speech, Pointing fingers and putting a Negative in front of or behind our descriptions of self or as a Group of People, will be the GREATEST Accomplishments ever! There are Toooooo many things we can say that are Right. Words have Power so, let's use them to Build!

[Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti]

Robert Charles, facing a mob of 20,000, and before being lynched, sending 20 of them to either hell or the hospital. Robert Williams forming a community watch (alarm) system and a paramilitary force to confront and stop euro aggressions against Afrikans. Jonathan Jackson giving his life to the revolution in an attempt to free his brother George. Queen Mother Moore, Ida B. Wells, Araminta (Harriet Tubman), Stagecoach Mary, my mom, packing. Ground glass, harder slaps, spit in the stew, escape, maroonage, Afrikan schools, Dead Prez...

[Kwadwo Gyasi Nkita-Mayala]

Htp,

I appreciate the inspiring moments, events and happenings everyone has posted thus far. I believe this is a very needed discussion and I'm glad yall agree.

One bit of inspiration amongst many that I'd like to share involves Nana Denmark Vesey. Through the sheer indomitableness of this amazing ancestor's will he was able to amass $8,000.00 in 1822 through his self-owned and operated carpentry business. Based on my rough calculations that would amount to approximately $200,000.00 in today's currency. (If anyone has a more exact figure please let me know) This is almost unbelievable given the outrageous difficulties he must have surely faced cornered on every side by the hostile white plantation society of Charleston, South Carolina in the early 19th century. Even today this figure is quite outstanding and impressive. I'm sure more than a few of our independent businesses, schools and institutions would settle for a savings of $8,000 right now let alone $200,000 !

I'm sure Nana Denmark faced just about every difficulty and hardship we face today and a whole lot more in his efforts to secretly raise the funds needed to arm his liberation army. He must not have slept, taken any days off or wasted even a second to have accomplished this remarkable feat all while planning and organizing one of the largest revolts ever. Can you imagine how many times he must have done work and not got paid? Can you imagine how many times he must have done work and gotten under paid or flat out cheated? Who was he going to run to--the police, the courts? Not hardly. The so-called freedom that is often spoken of in regards to Nana Denmark was nominal at best and probably more laughable than anything else. Can you imagine being an independent carpenter in those days trying to earn a decent living let alone save a small fortune? Nana Denmark was no doubt a talented carpenter and astute businessman. More importantly, he had to be an incredibly cunning, determined, tenacious, persevering, patient, wise Afrikan who truly exhibited what it means to love and serve our people.

Nana Denmark did not raise his fortune to be wealthy. De did so to finance the revolution and to destroy the entire system of oppression that enslaved his brothers and sisters throughout the south and beyond. He did not relish one bit in his so-called freedom though he could have. He did not use his talents for any selfish, individualistic reasons. He did not make excuses. He did not buy into elitism and abandon his people to reside in some opulent fantasy world. He planned day and night for the total liberation of Afrikan people and endured whatever challenges came his way to press forward towards that singular goal. This is truly inspiring. Despite all of this his and the efforts of his comrades (Gullah Jack, Peter Poyas and others) are often reduced to being a failure as a result of the long-planned revolt being halted by the loose lips of a few traitors. However, I believe if we look closer there is another story to tell--one that speaks more towards victory than failure.