|
WHAT:
|
Maafa
is a Kiswahili word used to describe real calamity, catastrophe, tragedy or
disaster. Dr. Marimba Ani introduced it into contemporary African-American scholarship as a preferred
reference to the period in world history, identified as the Middle Passage
or TransAtlantic Slave Trade.
This is our twelfth year commemorating the MAAFA. The focal point of the
event has been The MAAFA SUITE…A Healing Journey™, a
transformative theatre production, directed by Jesse Wooden, Jr.
|
|
WHY:
|
The MAAFA SUITE…A Healing Journey™ is a spiritual and
mental psychodrama aimed at healing our collective memories. It is a celebration that engages the entire community in
understanding and embracing the legacy of the Middle Passage leading to a
process of reconciliation and healing.
Racism and hatred do exist in our communities and recent reports of racial
profiling and violent or fatal responses, disproportionate prison
populations, and growing incidents of hate crimes have served to polarize
disparities based on race.
This powerful pyschodrama is the beginning of a
healing and educational process regarding an overlooked chapter of history
that has affected people of all races and cultures, and a means of
furthering our awareness of and efforts to undo institutionalized racism.
Please view our special film short featuring
Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood as he discusses the Commemoration of the MAAFA.
* This takes a few minutes to download
|
