We are often asked at Gather how we center Blackness into our learning. Outside of having black students, folks wonder what an education centering on Black people looks like. Is it the books, the students, or the fact that there are two black guides? There are those elements, but it's also so much more profound - it's in honoring and embodying our culture, heroes, everyday people, elders, and ancestors. Looking at our history through a lens of empowerment, appreciation, and celebration. In the article below, co-founder and co-guide Ashley Causey Golden breaks it down. If you are interested in reading more of Ashley's works and receiving materials to help guide your child's educational journey, please join her community here: Ancestors’ Seeds Learning Community.
Written by Ashley Causey-Golden
It's time to talk about honoring our ancestors, those who you share genetics, within the same race or those who are a part of your ethnicity (shared social and cultural characteristics, backgrounds, or experiences such as language religion, beliefs, values, and behaviors).
And no, honoring our ancestors is not the same as worshipping them. That misinformation has created much separation within Black culture when it comes to remembering, celebrating, and learning from those who came before us. When you remember--you are able to go back. You are able to recollect. It is in that process of slowing down and remembering, you are able to find the answers you were seeking. You are able to come up with a "new" idea or discover something new that you haven't thought or noticed before. You are able to make connections and see patterns. The act of honoring is acknowledging their human experience as we wish our family and those we touch through our work will acknowledge our human experience when we are no longer on this Earth. As teachers and guides, we understand the importance of connecting children with their roots. Just as the tender roots of a tree anchor it to the earth, our ancestors ground us and nourish us with a sense of identity and belonging. By intentionally honoring those who came before us, we cultivate familiar values, instill cultural appreciation, and inspire the next generation.
Our ancestors paved the way and shaped the world we live in today through their efforts and sacrifices- Recognizing their legacy connects us to our roots and family history.
Here are 4 ways you can do this:
Displaying Photos
In an age of fleeting digital snapshots, the prominent display of ancestral photographs takes on even more significance. These faded yet priceless images allow us to gaze upon the very faces of those who came before us. Hanging them in common rooms or on a dedicated wall sparks natural conversations. Children's curiosity blooms as they ask, "Who is that?" and "What did they do?" Suddenly, the past lives again through vibrant tales.
Takeaways:
- Photos capture ancestors in a moment of time and allow us to see their faces
-Hanging photos prominently keeps their memory alive in the home
- Can spark conversations about who they were and stories of their lives.
Discussing Their Works
Our ancestors led lives that toiled, sacrificed, innovated, and persisted through turbulent times we can barely fathom. By recounting their occupations, skills, struggles, and accomplishments, we grant voices to those who helped shape our family identity. Whether farmers, craftspeople, authors, entrepreneurs, or tireless homemakers, their trades and skills deserve our admiration.
Within the stories lie insights into values they embodied - resilience, integrity, faith, compassion. These ancient wisdoms transcend eras and speak to the enduring truths that guided their life paths. As we describe the historical backdrops they existed in, we paint a richer picture of the heart and soul that our ancestors showed in facing their unique challenges.
Takeaways:
- Recount their occupations, accomplishments, and how they contributed to society
- Detail any particular skills, talents, or traits they were known for
- Shed light on the historical context of the era they lived in
Giving Thanks
In recognizing how our ancestors lived, toiled, and sacrificed, we awaken deep wells of gratitude for all they overcame to become the architects of our present reality. Whether giving thanks around a warm table, through personal reflection, or in ceremonious traditions, the act of gratitude becomes our highest honor to their memories.
By extending this gratefulness, we ensure the intangible yet priceless inheritance of our ancestors is never forgotten - a legacy of courage, hard-won wisdom, cultural heritage, and the unwavering grit to create a better reality for future generations. It is this immeasurable wealth we now share with our children and students.
Takeaways:
- Express gratitude for the opportunities and privileges we have thanks to their hard work
- Recognize any specific ways they made sacrifices to provide a better life
- Honor the values, wisdom, and life lessons they passed down.
Cultivating the roots for the present
When we weave these practices into our modern family lives and educational environments, we nourish roots that ground our young minds. Children see themselves as part of a greater, transcendent journey that spans centuries. They recognize the immense privileges we now inherit because of those who persisted before. Most importantly, they learn the highest ways we can honor the sacrifice of our ancestors is to embrace their values, speak their stories, display their likenesses, and above all - live lives worthy of the incredible roots from which we grew.
Takeaways:
- Cultivating this practice nourishes family bonds across generations
- Keeps ancestral stories and experiences from being lost to time
- Provides a sense of roots, belonging, and appreciating one's heritage.
Our actions to honor the past actively empower the future. By bringing ancestral legacies into learning, we instill pride in one's roots while bringing the courage to pave new trails. We become the storytellers of resilience, the torchbearers of wisdom, and the guiding forces that inspire visions of what can be achieved. This is the highest tribute to our ancestors - empowering the generations that follow to create extraordinary footprints of their own.
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