Communication

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“Sankofa,” said Sharon. When it was her turn to share the spiritual name she chose, she said, “Sankofa…it’s a West African word that means, “We must go back to reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we can understand why and how we came to be who we are today.””
Sankofa is a symbol that represents a journey of learning from the past as we advance into the future. It is pictorially represented by a mythical bird moving forward with its head turned around, looking backwards. The bird grasps a gem in its beak symbolizing the significance of using past knowledge to create a better future. This is an appropriate symbol as we celebrate Black History Month.

It reminds us of the rich heritage of our ancestors, the wealth of wisdom they shared, and their willingness to take risks to achieve what they valued most—freedom, if not for themselves, then for their children and grandchildren. Those are the gems we hold on to that keep us focused so we don’t become distracted. Gems of the past strengthen us to slay the present dragons of discrimination. Those gems of the past are the reason why we do not give up even when faced with impossible odds. We press on knowing that “We shall overcome some day” if not today, then, some tomorrow.

Africa was our past and Africa is part of our present and future. As African Americans, we celebrate the diversity of Africa in America with the many variations in skin tones, hair, and physical features. We celebrate the brightest and best gifts of Africa brought to America brutally (individually) wrapped in shackles, shipped in the stinking holds of slave ships, but enduring the hardships, and growing stronger through adversity. The wonder women and men who overcame obstacles of oppression to excel in the fields of medicine, engineering, science, sports, law, artistry, theatre, and the clergy. They made a way for us and continue to inspire us to strive, to give more than 100 percent because we refuse to be held back, denied, or denigrated.

We celebrate the black family whose fabric was ripped apart but still survives today. Mothers and fathers that work hard and do whatever is necessary to see their children educated and employed, helping to build up the very society that would rather build prisons than schools.

Sankofa gives us hope and strength.

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Jennifer Heron is a writer, speaker, and teacher with over twenty-five years of ministry. She describes herself as a servant leader and currently teaches workshops on spiritual journaling. She is a member of Christian Writers Fellowship International and the International Women Writers Guild. She has published poetry and inspirational articles online and in local newsletters. She is married with two adult children

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