Inspired by an article on Racial Identity and Ancestry, Pamela reflects on how we can reclaim our identity as a form of dismantling racism.
Read the article that inspired this video: Genetic ancestry test results shape race self-identification, Stanford researchers find: People who have taken a genetic ancestry test are more likely to report multiple races when self-identifying on surveys, according to Stanford sociologists.
Consider how disparities and oppression could decrease if people connected with all of the parts of their identiy. How can the celebration of their unique ancestory actually unify people.
Pictured above is an Adinkra symbol from Ghana, West Africa. They belonged to Asante (Ashanti) people. These symbols express the ideas, values and the philosophy that governed their lives. As I connect to my West African heritage and my culture these symbols have given me a way of reclaiming my identity and connecting back to the valueable wisdom of my ancestors. It also helps to align me in my purpose to unify humanity.
“Funtumfunefu Denkyemfunefu represents two mythical crocodiles (or one, depending on how one looks at it) with one shared stomach. It is a symbol of unity in diversity giving a common destiny; sharing. The proverb from which the symbol is derived is “Funtumfunafu Denkyemfunafu, wowo yafunu koro nanso wonya biribi a wofom efiri se aduane no de no yete no wo menetwitwie mu,” to wit, Funtumfunafu and denkyemfunafu share a stomach but when they get something (food) they strive over it because the sweetness of the food is felt as it passes through the throat.”
How are we as a humanity in the habit of striving to fight for power and status when we share a common belly?
I welcome you to share your positive reflections as a comment.
Standing In Unity,
Pamela Gray Daniel