When an Elder Dies

The Proverb. When an elder dies, a library is burned. This African proverb underscores for us the vast knowledge that our elders possess. As a youth, I didn’t really know how to learn from my elders. Of course I learned like others to do what I was told, to mind my manners, to say please and thank you, to stay in school, blah, blah, blah. But that is not the exciting stuff. That library can be burned, other people have it. The exciting knowledge is the inside scoop. Our elders lived through the miss-story that we are propagandized with …TAUGHT… I said, “Taught” in schools.

Learning from the Library. Each year here in Indianapolis Sankoré Institute brings in a group of speakers who by their work have demonstrated a commitment to the libration of Afrikan people. Though not all of our speakers would be considered elders, many are. And to sit and speak with many of them is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Two years ago we invited Sam Greenlee to lead a discussion of his book and film, The Spook Who Sat by the Door. He was able to share with us so much more than is found in the book. In fact one story he shared was not related to the book at all. Apparently when he was younger, a mob of whites stoned a Black child who was swimming near a beach in Chicago. In retaliation for the killing, Blacks in Chicago waged war on whites throughout the city. The whites along with the Chicago City Police were unable to “contain the situation.” Ultimately the National Guard was brought in and Chicago City officials were forced to sit down and capitulate to the demands of the Black community. I learned from Sam Greenlee that we can fight city hall, and we can win! We’ve done it. Of course they won’t teach this history to our youth, it might give them bad ideas. Fortunately, we can teach it.

A Library of Our Own. As you look towards Black History Month, look for an opportunity to learn at the feet of some of our living legends. This year we will bring Mukasa Dada (aka Willie Ricks) to Indianapolis. Mukasa was a major force in the civil rights movement. He worked side by side with Kwame Ture (aka Stokely Carmichael) to develop SNCC (the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee). When Kwame Ture stepped down and H. Rap Brown took over, Mukasa was asked to work with Brown to “show him the ropes.” At one point Mukasa was regarded as one of the 10 most dangerous men in the State of Georgia and police were forbidden from approaching his home without special permission. We look forward to sitting at the feet Mukasa and learning from this giant on February 9, 2013.

If you are in the Indianapolis area, consider attending the Sankoré Institute sponsored Call to Action Lecture featuring Mukasa Dada. If not, consider sponsoring an event of your own. From which elders will you learn? Mmoja Ajabu? Claude Anderson? Mama Mirimba Ani? Neely Fuller? Sam Greenlee? Ashra Kwesi? Dr. Francis Cress Welsing? How will your watoto learn from these elders? A fireside chat? A conference call? A video conference? Whether you gather 3, 30 or 300 all will benefit from the knowledge of our elders and our elders will benefit from the appreciation we have for their sacrifice.

Jomo W. Mutegi is a husband and father committed to the improvement of the African world community, an author of science-related children’s books, and an Associate Professor of Science Education. To learn more about Jomo’s children’s books, visit www.JomoMutegi.com. To learn more about Dr. Mutegi’s research visit www.ES2RP.org.