Sankofa

“Sankofa brings together readings, films, class lectures, and conversations with a pilgrimage to major Civil Rights sites in the southern part of the U.S. focusing on black/white relations. We explore the biblical, theological, sociological, political, cultural, and psychological dimensions of the struggle for racial justice during the Civil Rights era and its contemporary implications. We also seek to provide experiences that lead to personal transformation on the difficult questions of race and justice.”

I feel that calling it a “racial reconciliation trip” misses the mark a bit. To most people, a conflict needs to precede a reconciliation and this makes it seem unnecessary to anyone who has never actively discriminated against anyone else. The truth is, we live in a society that treats people unequally and too many people fail to realize this. In a country carved out by white men, the white man will naturally prosper. I, personally, don’t discriminate against minorities or commit overt acts of racism. I have, however benefited from a racist system.

When people ask me how Sankofa was I usually say, “It was a lot of things.” It was heavy, fun, frustrating, realistic and painful, among other things. I made friends who shared their stories and pain with me and I made them my own. I went into this completely aware of the issues we would eventually discuss but this weekend I heard them from a far more personal source. The issues became much more real to me, as did the level of ignorance in this country. If so many people willing to go on a “racial reconciliation trip” were so naive, what does the rest of white-america look like?

Without rambling about moving sidewalks, white privilege and unequal playing fields, here are some links. Find some information that you didn’t learn in school. Fight ignorance.

I must know myself, hear and understand others, and treat humans as humans. All of them.

Advertisement