Teaching African History to Children
St. Paul Community Baptist Church (SPCBC) in Brooklyn geared up in September for the return of The MAAFA. The free and open to the public annual experience remembers the suffering endured by Africans who were enslaved and brought to America through the Middle Passage. MAAFA (pronounced mah-ah-fah) is the Swahili term for disaster, terrible occurrence, or great tragedy. The eight-day, large-scale, theatrical production features teachings and discussions about historical and current issues.
This year, renowned speakers focused on centering and teaching children African American history. They included the Spelman College Dean of the Chapel and Wisdom Center Director Rev. Dr. Nichelle Guidry, who spoke on the theme “Don’t Forget to Remember.”
“It is not lost on us that there have been national attempts to
distort, suppress, and erase African Americans’ role in American history with the goal of a sanitized, singular narrative. This year’s MAAFA is our attempt to reawaken the African mind of our children and support families and schools with resources to help our children. This commemoration is not only a painful glimpse backward but a celebration of the collective resilience of African Americans.”
In an interview with Rev. Dr. David Brawley, lead pastor of SPCBC, Pulitzer Prize-winner and creator of The 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine, Nikole Hannah Jones, explained that “because Black history doesn’t teach the real stories about Black people, young people grow up thinking we haven’t done that much. So, my whole life has been a quest to learn what they didn’t want us to know about us and to help other people, like my family and my community, learn what they didn’t want us to know.” The fascinating conversation can be viewed at MaafaWeek 2023-Nikole Hannah-Jones on YouTube.
Rev. Dr. David Brawley, agreed, saying “It is not lost on us that there have been national attempts to distort, suppress, and erase African Americans’ role in American history with the goal of a sanitized, singular narrative. This year’s MAAFA is our attempt to reawaken the African mind of our children and support families and schools with resources to help our children. This commemoration is not only a painful glimpse backward but a celebration of the collective resilience of African Americans.”
For nearly three decades, St. Paul has been a national leader in continuing the conversation of healing through sacred memory. Presented by SPCBC, The MAAFA Suite…A Healing Journey, explores the trauma endured by enslaved Africans and educates viewers on the oppression inflicted upon generations of Africans in America. Interactive activities include a walking tour of the MAAFA museum, which displays artwork and historical artifacts (circa 1700s to 1800s). For more information about SPCBC, please visit www.spcbc.com—TPC Staff
