IT TAKES A VILLAGE!
The cultural history of Black and Indigenous People is rooted in the belief of communal living based on the philosophy of being my brother's/sister's keeper.
“Tek yo han mek fashion.” Translated, this means use any available resources at hand and fashion something creative from the diverse possibilities that life presents to tackle the challenges that confront you. Implicit in this worldview is the notion that failure is not an option.
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Teachers and students, parents and children, community and youth must engage as cultural workers to embrace diversity, break down barriers and celebrate the unique gifts of our humanity. This book is an act of telling the children the truth, of seeking a place in the curriculum which highlights and honors the courage and achievement of Black and Indigenous warriors and assert storytelling as pedagogy that builds students’ capacity to interpret, synthesize and apply their learning in school to real life situations. My Sovereignty! My Authority! My Culture! |
Stories offer hope when cases rooted in racial prejudice and discrimination like that of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Tamir Rice arise. This book will provide readers with an opportunity to extend their global perspectives about characters and people beyond their own communities and articulate the role of culture in one’s everyday life. It affirms the central role of storytelling in academic life and community building.
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To fail to teach the meaning of stories like Nanny’s to students of color is to deny them access to their cultural heritage, to deprive them of a significant portion of the legacy that binds them together-making them part of a cultural identity rather than alienated individuals scattered in classrooms across the US and the globe.
It is important for young people to see heroes and heroines reflected in their own image. Such images become symbolic of the possibilities for children to attain highly. Nanny in particular, stands large as a remarkable symbol of liberation rooted within a history of colonization, power struggle, emancipation and eventual independence. |
It is important for youth, especially Black youth with a colonial legacy, to understand that their ancestors did not succumb to hegemony as victims, but valiantly resisted, fought against it, and in many instances, triumphed as is the case of the Maroons who today, continue to reside on their sovereign land gained through the signing of peace treaties negotiated with the British imperial force during the 18th century.
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