For our second visit to the African Burial Ground, the focus of the visit shifted from just looking at the site and leaving time for introspection to the inclusion of elements we might have glossed over. We noticed a poem in the front of the monument that is meant commemorate the history of those who were buried here and we spent a good deal of time going over it, as well as recording shots of us reciting the poem. I think it’s an astounding part of history that we stand on ground where African-Americans were brutalized and buried to be forgotten for centuries, as an incredibly diverse group that is able to pay our respects in this manner. Another significant part of the site that we decided to focus on builds off the wall of religious and cultural symbols on the wall of the site. This wall is centered around a map of the world, with a walkway in the shape of an arrow pointing in the general direction of Africa, which represents the remembrance of the origins of those who were buried here, especially slaves that had just been forcibly moved to North America. This feature helps bolster a deep respect of the monument for not just those who are buried here and the experiences that they went through, but also the fact that for many of them, they or their ancestors were removed, against their will, from their native lands. This attempt at recognizing the brutal role of colonialism as part of this monument can be broken down to this one arrow, pointing towards home for many who were buried here. This drives home important themes that my group wants to focus on. We want to do a “draw-my-life”, illustrating much of the history that has been emphasized in this monument but we also want to convey a notion of not just the past but the future that the African-American experience and community has created in terms of cultural and social works and development.
