I came upon the African Burial Ground National Monument at the corner of Duane and Elk Streets quite by chance one day earlier this Summer. Seeing the actual spot brought back the memory of story: how workers excavating for a new federal office building in 1991 came upon the remains of 419 slaves and former slaves interred there. Responding to protests from the African-American community nationwide over the invasion of sacred ground, the excavation work was halted. The building project was re-planned to allow the space to be preserved. The monument was designed and built, and in 2003 a ceremony marked the re-burial of the remains and the opening of the monument.
It is a wonderfully tranquil and serene spot today, though it serves to remind us of a shameful chapter in the history of this country.
The walls of the walkway leading to the Circle of the Diaspora are embellished with ancient symbols from African cultures, none more meaningful to me than this sign of the divinity of the Earth Mother. As the great religions of the world decline through hypocrisy and false zealotry, perhaps mankind will eventually see the true source of light and life in Nature, turning away from imaginary dieties and focusing instead on the maternal blessings that surround us daily in the reality of Earth, sea and sky.
The central temple-like structure of the monument reminds us of the prow of a ship and of the vessels that bore the African people into enslavement. Here in this sacred space there is much to reflect upon.