Reuniting the Diaspora with its African Roots

Near the beginning of February, I watched a documentary on African influences on American cuisine while cooking a family recipe and was surprised as almost every step that I took by heart, mirrored that of the Gullah chef on my TV screen. Through reading and watching documentaries on the African Diaspora, my Panamanian father and I have begun putting together the pieces of our own African heritage, realizing that so much of our home culture and practices originated in Africa. Without the spotlight that Black History month offers African diasporic history and culture, many of us would still be oblivious to just how interconnected the African diaspora is.  

As someone deeply motivated to create an accurate historical base for my worldview, Black History Month reminds me that I am not alone in my journey of learning African history. During February, finding reliable information does not require a deep dive. Books, movies and podcasts, advertised in collections make learning the buried history of the African diaspora not only easy but widely encouraged. 

As a result of this widespread representation, I have observed more joy in the community. During Black History Month, African Diasporic voices are celebrated and not shut down as often. This means that I get to see my African Diasporic peers proud, empowered and thrilled to learn about themselves and to see their stories shared with the world. 

At the same time as Black History Month promotes so much personal growth as far as relearning the true history– packing so much culture, heritage and historical teaching into one month leaves community members and leaders worn out by the end of the month. If these efforts were spread out and supported consistently throughout the year, not only would we be able to learn much more, but we would be able to avoid some of the tokenism that often results from one focused month for each underrepresented group.

In order to create an “inclusive” image for themselves, Black History Month has been taken advantage of by organizations and individuals. This performative representation often falls short, as the same well known stories, that align with what maintains supremacy ideology are retold. It is important to give a well rounded and accurate representation of African diasporic history not only in February but throughout the rest of the year.

We must take action towards permanent representation and integration of every culture in the dominant historical narrative, doing so with care. Imagine all that would be possible if history was taught accurately from the jump and the African diaspora was recognized and celebrated all year round. 

With the collective restoration of our historical memory, more youth and adults like my father and I will be able to link their ancestral practices and roots back to Africa with a sense of pride and admiration and see the diaspora for what it is: a long lost family.