[Music] [Applause]
good morning everyone my name is Michael
good morning everyone my name is Michael Williams
Williams
Williams I am a Warren County Schools teacher I
I am a Warren County Schools teacher I
I am a Warren County Schools teacher I am still a Warren County Schools teacher
am still a Warren County Schools teacher
am still a Warren County Schools teacher and I absolutely love my job I work
and I absolutely love my job I work
and I absolutely love my job I work alongside some awesome teachers shout
alongside some awesome teachers shout
alongside some awesome teachers shout out to all the teachers who are here
out to all the teachers who are here
out to all the teachers who are here today especially those who who teach
today especially those who who teach
today especially those who who teach beside me every day I’ll be sharing some
beside me every day I’ll be sharing some
beside me every day I’ll be sharing some stories that you’ve probably heard in
stories that you’ve probably heard in
stories that you’ve probably heard in the hallway and the teachers lounge what
the hallway and the teachers lounge what
the hallway and the teachers lounge what do you want it to or not but I’m gonna
do you want it to or not but I’m gonna
do you want it to or not but I’m gonna say it again
say it again
say it again but my talk today is on from dodge to
but my talk today is on from dodge to
but my talk today is on from dodge to diaspora last time I was here I talked
diaspora last time I was here I talked
diaspora last time I was here I talked about ancestral research as a means of
about ancestral research as a means of
about ancestral research as a means of shaping identity and this actually
shaping identity and this actually
shaping identity and this actually extends that conversation so the title
extends that conversation so the title
extends that conversation so the title from Dodge to diaspora actually refers
from Dodge to diaspora actually refers
from Dodge to diaspora actually refers to to a figure took place as we continue
to to a figure took place as we continue
to to a figure took place as we continue to pursue this theme of the bridges it’s
to pursue this theme of the bridges it’s
to pursue this theme of the bridges it’s a bridge from Dodge a bridge from
a bridge from Dodge a bridge from
a bridge from Dodge a bridge from diaspora that I’m still crossing today
diaspora that I’m still crossing today
diaspora that I’m still crossing today and know from Dodge to diaspora Brian is
and know from Dodge to diaspora Brian is
and know from Dodge to diaspora Brian is not two cars I’m not talking about a car
not two cars I’m not talking about a car
not two cars I’m not talking about a car called a Dodge I’m not talking about a
called a Dodge I’m not talking about a
called a Dodge I’m not talking about a new 2018 car called the Diaspora talking
new 2018 car called the Diaspora talking
new 2018 car called the Diaspora talking about the African Diaspora the Diaspora
about the African Diaspora the Diaspora
about the African Diaspora the Diaspora that serves as a community of serves
that serves as a community of serves
that serves as a community of serves it’s a home of all those individuals who
it’s a home of all those individuals who
it’s a home of all those individuals who at some point or another were birthed
at some point or another were birthed
at some point or another were birthed from the African continent and the
from the African continent and the
from the African continent and the Diaspora when we speak about it this
Diaspora when we speak about it this
Diaspora when we speak about it this large a large place that touches most
large a large place that touches most
large a large place that touches most places of the globe and my talk today
places of the globe and my talk today
places of the globe and my talk today will delve into that and kind of tell
will delve into that and kind of tell
will delve into that and kind of tell you all about this journey from that I
you all about this journey from that I
you all about this journey from that I still am going on so starting in the
still am going on so starting in the
still am going on so starting in the third grade I have to start and tell you
third grade I have to start and tell you
third grade I have to start and tell you there in the third grade I was hurt in
there in the third grade I was hurt in
there in the third grade I was hurt in my back
my back
my back maybe all starts with it back in but I
maybe all starts with it back in but I
maybe all starts with it back in but I jacked my back up like and I did it cuz
jacked my back up like and I did it cuz
jacked my back up like and I did it cuz I was showing off this is this pretty
I was showing off this is this pretty
I was showing off this is this pretty girl so this is pretty girl was in my
girl so this is pretty girl was in my
girl so this is pretty girl was in my class right and she she had the
class right and she she had the
class right and she she had the prettiest hair she had to cool barrettes
prettiest hair she had to cool barrettes
prettiest hair she had to cool barrettes in her hair pecan colored skin and she
in her hair pecan colored skin and she
in her hair pecan colored skin and she had eyes that smiled even more than her
had eyes that smiled even more than her
had eyes that smiled even more than her perfectly aligned teeth could and every
perfectly aligned teeth could and every
perfectly aligned teeth could and every day on every Thursday I was show off for
day on every Thursday I was show off for
day on every Thursday I was show off for her so I will go to the highest point in
her so I will go to the highest point in
her so I will go to the highest point in the playground that
the playground that
the playground that and I was good at tumbling like my
and I was good at tumbling like my
and I was good at tumbling like my brother Anthony he tumbles well and my
brother Anthony he tumbles well and my
brother Anthony he tumbles well and my older brother Daniel he really doesn’t
older brother Daniel he really doesn’t
older brother Daniel he really doesn’t but I do pretty good for myself so I
but I do pretty good for myself so I
but I do pretty good for myself so I would go and I would do a backhand back
would go and I would do a backhand back
would go and I would do a backhand back took bow and I was sticking every single
took bow and I was sticking every single
took bow and I was sticking every single time then one day I missed it but anyway
time then one day I missed it but anyway
time then one day I missed it but anyway that was my Friday Eve ritual and even
that was my Friday Eve ritual and even
that was my Friday Eve ritual and even to this day my co-workers to tell you
to this day my co-workers to tell you
to this day my co-workers to tell you Mike Michael loves Friday Eve’s but
Mike Michael loves Friday Eve’s but
Mike Michael loves Friday Eve’s but there’s that was my ritual and I did it
there’s that was my ritual and I did it
there’s that was my ritual and I did it for her and you know that changed and it
for her and you know that changed and it
for her and you know that changed and it changed because there was this guy who
changed because there was this guy who
changed because there was this guy who moved down he was a new boy he moves
moved down he was a new boy he moves
moved down he was a new boy he moves down from the city and he’s totally
down from the city and he’s totally
down from the city and he’s totally urban he’s totally City he’s totally
urban he’s totally City he’s totally
urban he’s totally City he’s totally cool he wore the white sneakers his
cool he wore the white sneakers his
cool he wore the white sneakers his pants were always perfectly creased and
pants were always perfectly creased and
pants were always perfectly creased and everything he had was new I was
everything he had was new I was
everything he had was new I was everything that he wasn’t and the
everything that he wasn’t and the
everything that he wasn’t and the biggest thing about him he was from up
biggest thing about him he was from up
biggest thing about him he was from up north but we called it up north he was
north but we called it up north he was
north but we called it up north he was from up north and the young lady I’ll
from up north and the young lady I’ll
from up north and the young lady I’ll call her Lauren her name’s not really
call her Lauren her name’s not really
call her Lauren her name’s not really Lauren but to protect the identity and
Lauren but to protect the identity and
Lauren but to protect the identity and the giver Lauren actually I like hip-hop
the giver Lauren actually I like hip-hop
the giver Lauren actually I like hip-hop so let’s call it Lauren Hill but so
so let’s call it Lauren Hill but so
so let’s call it Lauren Hill but so Lauren guy took a shining to him and she
Lauren guy took a shining to him and she
Lauren guy took a shining to him and she really liked him and and it took the
really liked him and and it took the
really liked him and and it took the attention off of me and I really didn’t
attention off of me and I really didn’t
attention off of me and I really didn’t like him at all and we’ll call him we’ll
like him at all and we’ll call him we’ll
like him at all and we’ll call him we’ll call him to pop we’re giving out hip-hop
call him to pop we’re giving out hip-hop
call him to pop we’re giving out hip-hop so 2pi gets all of her attention at that
so 2pi gets all of her attention at that
so 2pi gets all of her attention at that point because he was from up north and
point because he was from up north and
point because he was from up north and everything about him was really cool I
everything about him was really cool I
everything about him was really cool I mean his hands while I was cleaning in
mean his hands while I was cleaning in
mean his hands while I was cleaning in line his fingernails even we’re a lot
line his fingernails even we’re a lot
line his fingernails even we’re a lot cleaner and clearer than mine were they
cleaner and clearer than mine were they
cleaner and clearer than mine were they weren’t dirty and black mine were dirty
weren’t dirty and black mine were dirty
weren’t dirty and black mine were dirty and black like like me and that’s how it
and black like like me and that’s how it
and black like like me and that’s how it felt and it was a mentality that I
felt and it was a mentality that I
felt and it was a mentality that I carried around with me it was this dodge
carried around with me it was this dodge
carried around with me it was this dodge mentality dodge was a place and if you
mentality dodge was a place and if you
mentality dodge was a place and if you google a dodges the city in Kansas no
google a dodges the city in Kansas no
google a dodges the city in Kansas no I’m not from the office I’m from Warren
I’m not from the office I’m from Warren
I’m not from the office I’m from Warren County but Dodge was a mentality if you
County but Dodge was a mentality if you
County but Dodge was a mentality if you think about it when people talk about
think about it when people talk about
think about it when people talk about getting out of Dodge what did I say man
getting out of Dodge what did I say man
getting out of Dodge what did I say man I’m about to get hell out of Dodge why
I’m about to get hell out of Dodge why
I’m about to get hell out of Dodge why it’s a place that you want to go away
it’s a place that you want to go away
it’s a place that you want to go away from you don’t want to exist there it’s
from you don’t want to exist there it’s
from you don’t want to exist there it’s no more for what it isn’t as opposed to
no more for what it isn’t as opposed to
no more for what it isn’t as opposed to what it is it’s a place that have-nots
what it is it’s a place that have-nots
what it is it’s a place that have-nots hang out and I was a Hefner I felt like
hang out and I was a Hefner I felt like
hang out and I was a Hefner I felt like I have not my entire life I carried that
I have not my entire life I carried that
I have not my entire life I carried that around with me throughout the years and
around with me throughout the years and
around with me throughout the years and more so than a geographic place it was a
more so than a geographic place it was a
more so than a geographic place it was a mental space that I existed in for a
mental space that I existed in for a
mental space that I existed in for a long time there were feelings of
long time there were feelings of
long time there were feelings of inadequacy that I care
inadequacy that I care
inadequacy that I care for the majority of my life simply
for the majority of my life simply
for the majority of my life simply because I knew I wasn’t that person I
because I knew I wasn’t that person I
because I knew I wasn’t that person I knew I was here in the south in a place
knew I was here in the south in a place
knew I was here in the south in a place that wasn’t going anywhere a place that
that wasn’t going anywhere a place that
that wasn’t going anywhere a place that was marked by industry and cotton fields
was marked by industry and cotton fields
was marked by industry and cotton fields and tobacco fields and all these
and tobacco fields and all these
and tobacco fields and all these different things so as I grew older that
different things so as I grew older that
different things so as I grew older that that kind of changed a little bit and I
that kind of changed a little bit and I
that kind of changed a little bit and I had this mentality that okay I’m gonna
had this mentality that okay I’m gonna
had this mentality that okay I’m gonna get out at one point I’m gonna get out
get out at one point I’m gonna get out
get out at one point I’m gonna get out I’m get away from this place not like
I’m get away from this place not like
I’m get away from this place not like Jordan peels get out but it was akin to
Jordan peels get out but it was akin to
Jordan peels get out but it was akin to a sunken place that I existed in but
a sunken place that I existed in but
a sunken place that I existed in but that all changed and it began to change
that all changed and it began to change
that all changed and it began to change as I started getting away from this
as I started getting away from this
as I started getting away from this dodger mentality this mentality where my
dodger mentality this mentality where my
dodger mentality this mentality where my mind was constantly clouded with
mind was constantly clouded with
mind was constantly clouded with feelings of self-doubt because I existed
feelings of self-doubt because I existed
feelings of self-doubt because I existed in a rural space and it changed once I
in a rural space and it changed once I
in a rural space and it changed once I met this group of awesome awesome kids
met this group of awesome awesome kids
met this group of awesome awesome kids awesome awesome
awesome awesome
awesome awesome teachers who taught me to appreciate the
teachers who taught me to appreciate the
teachers who taught me to appreciate the value of my local experience too who
value of my local experience too who
value of my local experience too who taught me to appreciate the soul cities
taught me to appreciate the soul cities
taught me to appreciate the soul cities who taught me to appreciate the Rolling
who taught me to appreciate the Rolling
who taught me to appreciate the Rolling Hills the car leg the Lake Gaston of
Hills the car leg the Lake Gaston of
Hills the car leg the Lake Gaston of where I existed and I began to find
where I existed and I began to find
where I existed and I began to find value in those spaces as I grew older
value in those spaces as I grew older
value in those spaces as I grew older and I started researching my own
and I started researching my own
and I started researching my own personal ancestry and I used my tools
personal ancestry and I used my tools
personal ancestry and I used my tools because I knew that my students existed
because I knew that my students existed
because I knew that my students existed in a space where my 80s you know hip-hop
in a space where my 80s you know hip-hop
in a space where my 80s you know hip-hop pop music dodge had now melded in this
pop music dodge had now melded in this
pop music dodge had now melded in this more contemporary fast-moving dodge that
more contemporary fast-moving dodge that
more contemporary fast-moving dodge that my students carried in their head and so
my students carried in their head and so
my students carried in their head and so to teach them the value of our local
to teach them the value of our local
to teach them the value of our local experience we started doing projects
experience we started doing projects
experience we started doing projects like the digital Museum a project where
like the digital Museum a project where
like the digital Museum a project where students went around in the community
students went around in the community
students went around in the community and partner with local seniors to
and partner with local seniors to
and partner with local seniors to collect their voices in their oral
collect their voices in their oral
collect their voices in their oral histories which is characteristic
histories which is characteristic
histories which is characteristic largely of people who exist in the
largely of people who exist in the
largely of people who exist in the diaspora my students also would do
diaspora my students also would do
diaspora my students also would do projects such as Park spaces in places
projects such as Park spaces in places
projects such as Park spaces in places where we were just right up the street
where we were just right up the street
where we were just right up the street from here and Nathaniel make his grave
from here and Nathaniel make his grave
from here and Nathaniel make his grave with a 360 degree camera and the
with a 360 degree camera and the
with a 360 degree camera and the students were kind of archiving and
students were kind of archiving and
students were kind of archiving and taking that space to be able to show it
taking that space to be able to show it
taking that space to be able to show it and tell other people about the value of
and tell other people about the value of
and tell other people about the value of their local experience all of these
their local experience all of these
their local experience all of these things slowly but surely started to
things slowly but surely started to
things slowly but surely started to bring me out of this space and I
bring me out of this space and I
bring me out of this space and I extended it from there realizing that
extended it from there realizing that
extended it from there realizing that you know my job is to prepare them for
you know my job is to prepare them for
you know my job is to prepare them for life after school teaching in a
life after school teaching in a
life after school teaching in a project-based learning environment we
project-based learning environment we
project-based learning environment we teaching these authentic project-based
teaching these authentic project-based
teaching these authentic project-based learning assignments and projects that
learning assignments and projects that
learning assignments and projects that are designed to promote critical
are designed to promote critical
are designed to promote critical thinking communication collaboration
thinking communication collaboration
thinking communication collaboration personal agency all of these things but
personal agency all of these things but
personal agency all of these things but I realized that as a 2017 21st century
I realized that as a 2017 21st century
I realized that as a 2017 21st century teacher it was incumbent on me to
teacher it was incumbent on me to
teacher it was incumbent on me to connect those same students with the
connect those same students with the
connect those same students with the globe to connect them and teach them the
globe to connect them and teach them the
globe to connect them and teach them the principles of becoming global citizens
principles of becoming global citizens
principles of becoming global citizens and so we started pursuing projects so
and so we started pursuing projects so
and so we started pursuing projects so we were still locally and one of the
we were still locally and one of the
we were still locally and one of the terms I use is is locally base book
terms I use is is locally base book
terms I use is is locally base book locally globally focused and partnering
locally globally focused and partnering
locally globally focused and partnering with teachers like Katie Hunter an
with teachers like Katie Hunter an
with teachers like Katie Hunter an author teacher who’s at Scotland Karen
author teacher who’s at Scotland Karen
author teacher who’s at Scotland Karen Olsen who is insolent girl superb
Olsen who is insolent girl superb
Olsen who is insolent girl superb pronounce writes against Denmark
pronounce writes against Denmark
pronounce writes against Denmark Daniel Pardo who is now in Melina Chile
Daniel Pardo who is now in Melina Chile
Daniel Pardo who is now in Melina Chile and a good friend of mine and
and a good friend of mine and
and a good friend of mine and documentary mr. Michael Markovski who is
documentary mr. Michael Markovski who is
documentary mr. Michael Markovski who is now in Japan with the idea of expanding
now in Japan with the idea of expanding
now in Japan with the idea of expanding and while this is happening I feel
and while this is happening I feel
and while this is happening I feel myself actually growing and growing and
myself actually growing and growing and
myself actually growing and growing and growing more and crossing over into this
growing more and crossing over into this
growing more and crossing over into this global mindset when I was here in 2015 I
global mindset when I was here in 2015 I
global mindset when I was here in 2015 I talked about I envisioned a place that I
talked about I envisioned a place that I
talked about I envisioned a place that I ultimately wanted to go and I talked
ultimately wanted to go and I talked
ultimately wanted to go and I talked about how I trace my ancestry and I went
about how I trace my ancestry and I went
about how I trace my ancestry and I went back and ultimately wanted to and this
back and ultimately wanted to and this
back and ultimately wanted to and this is a magic place for me because after I
is a magic place for me because after I
is a magic place for me because after I stepped off the stage here at this place
stepped off the stage here at this place
stepped off the stage here at this place a series of events started happening I
a series of events started happening I
a series of events started happening I started beating the bushes I started
started beating the bushes I started
started beating the bushes I started chasing opportunities to ultimately walk
chasing opportunities to ultimately walk
chasing opportunities to ultimately walk through that door for those of you who
through that door for those of you who
through that door for those of you who may not know that’s the door of no
may not know that’s the door of no
may not know that’s the door of no return it’s in cape coast castle and
return it’s in cape coast castle and
return it’s in cape coast castle and while we focus on a large portion of the
while we focus on a large portion of the
while we focus on a large portion of the the global experience it’s incumbent
the global experience it’s incumbent
the global experience it’s incumbent upon me to teach my students a largely
upon me to teach my students a largely
upon me to teach my students a largely you know community of 58 to 60 percent
you know community of 58 to 60 percent
you know community of 58 to 60 percent african-american community a community
african-american community a community
african-american community a community where in my classrooms it can be
where in my classrooms it can be
where in my classrooms it can be anywhere from 80 to 90 s per Smith but
anywhere from 80 to 90 s per Smith but
anywhere from 80 to 90 s per Smith but to teach them about these places to
to teach them about these places to
to teach them about these places to teach them about the value of these
teach them about the value of these
teach them about the value of these places to truly put this global
places to truly put this global
places to truly put this global awareness in the preparation of global
awareness in the preparation of global
awareness in the preparation of global citizenship in practice because to be
citizenship in practice because to be
citizenship in practice because to be perfectly honest with you our knowledge
perfectly honest with you our knowledge
perfectly honest with you our knowledge of these spaces are couched in these
of these spaces are couched in these
of these spaces are couched in these 19th century Kipling like notions of
19th century Kipling like notions of
19th century Kipling like notions of these dark spaces with
these dark spaces with
these dark spaces with jungles and dark bodies when in
jungles and dark bodies when in
jungles and dark bodies when in actuality is all about the people and
actuality is all about the people and
actuality is all about the people and those are the things that I learned as I
those are the things that I learned as I
those are the things that I learned as I began to grow so look at in these so
began to grow so look at in these so
began to grow so look at in these so these opportunities
these opportunities
these opportunities I came to involved with the African
I came to involved with the African
I came to involved with the African Diaspora Fellows program which is led by
Diaspora Fellows program which is led by
Diaspora Fellows program which is led by dr. Kia call well as well as Emily
dr. Kia call well as well as Emily
dr. Kia call well as well as Emily Chavez’s UNC do partnership and I
Chavez’s UNC do partnership and I
Chavez’s UNC do partnership and I connected with teachers all over the
connected with teachers all over the
connected with teachers all over the state who were focusing on doing the
state who were focusing on doing the
state who were focusing on doing the exact same thing in addition I became
exact same thing in addition I became
exact same thing in addition I became involved with a global teacher
involved with a global teacher
involved with a global teacher fellowship with the rural school and
fellowship with the rural school and
fellowship with the rural school and community trusts and it was through that
community trusts and it was through that
community trusts and it was through that partnership that I was able to actually
partnership that I was able to actually
partnership that I was able to actually go to that place I was able to travel
go to that place I was able to travel
go to that place I was able to travel and end up in this space via a project
and end up in this space via a project
and end up in this space via a project that another project again in PBL I
that another project again in PBL I
that another project again in PBL I loved it but it was called chasing blake
loved it but it was called chasing blake
loved it but it was called chasing blake chasing blake was based on a gentleman
chasing blake was based on a gentleman
chasing blake was based on a gentleman by the name of peter blake of peter
by the name of peter blake of peter
by the name of peter blake of peter blake in 1675 went on a six a 18-month
blake in 1675 went on a six a 18-month
blake in 1675 went on a six a 18-month year-and-a-half journey from kent down
year-and-a-half journey from kent down
year-and-a-half journey from kent down to cape coast castle into the americas
to cape coast castle into the americas
to cape coast castle into the americas forming the triangle that we know it’s a
forming the triangle that we know it’s a
forming the triangle that we know it’s a triangle of slave trade and my project I
triangle of slave trade and my project I
triangle of slave trade and my project I wanted to do that I wanted to travel I
wanted to do that I wanted to travel I
wanted to do that I wanted to travel I wanted to touch the critical points of
wanted to touch the critical points of
wanted to touch the critical points of that triangle but I wanted to bring
that triangle but I wanted to bring
that triangle but I wanted to bring teachers into the conversation to study
teachers into the conversation to study
teachers into the conversation to study the contemporary effects in the legacies
the contemporary effects in the legacies
the contemporary effects in the legacies of where we all stand right now and so
of where we all stand right now and so
of where we all stand right now and so the teachers in the UK and we were
the teachers in the UK and we were
the teachers in the UK and we were fortunate to connect with teachers in
fortunate to connect with teachers in
fortunate to connect with teachers in say for instance Edinboro to go there so
say for instance Edinboro to go there so
say for instance Edinboro to go there so I traveled them we talked and we got the
I traveled them we talked and we got the
I traveled them we talked and we got the students involved we got the students
students involved we got the students
students involved we got the students engaged from there I go to I went to
engaged from there I go to I went to
engaged from there I go to I went to Liverpool and it was a twenty nine
Liverpool and it was a twenty nine
Liverpool and it was a twenty nine thousand mile 29,000 plus mile journey
thousand mile 29,000 plus mile journey
thousand mile 29,000 plus mile journey that I went on and we did it in ten days
that I went on and we did it in ten days
that I went on and we did it in ten days and I was driving I’ve never driven on
and I was driving I’ve never driven on
and I was driving I’ve never driven on the m5 before it’s crazy driving injury
the m5 before it’s crazy driving injury
the m5 before it’s crazy driving injury manson littleton nothing like it alright
manson littleton nothing like it alright
manson littleton nothing like it alright also went to london but ultimately i
also went to london but ultimately i
also went to london but ultimately i found myself in cape coast it was
found myself in cape coast it was
found myself in cape coast it was experienced like none other because
experienced like none other because
experienced like none other because we’re in the point that i got there i
we’re in the point that i got there i
we’re in the point that i got there i got off the plane and i noticed that
got off the plane and i noticed that
got off the plane and i noticed that I became comfortably anonymous as I said
I became comfortably anonymous as I said
I became comfortably anonymous as I said before I exist in a space where I’m only
before I exist in a space where I’m only
before I exist in a space where I’m only 10% of the teach two percent of the
10% of the teach two percent of the
10% of the teach two percent of the teachers in America african-american men
teachers in America african-american men
teachers in America african-american men and so this idea of comfortable
and so this idea of comfortable
and so this idea of comfortable anonymity doesn’t really happen a lot
anonymity doesn’t really happen a lot
anonymity doesn’t really happen a lot but I got off and I stepped into a space
but I got off and I stepped into a space
but I got off and I stepped into a space where my often marginalized frame melded
where my often marginalized frame melded
where my often marginalized frame melded with these pure unbroken mahogany bodies
with these pure unbroken mahogany bodies
with these pure unbroken mahogany bodies discourse of mahogany body said of
discourse of mahogany body said of
discourse of mahogany body said of walking and living and breathing in
walking and living and breathing in
walking and living and breathing in existing in this space this space that
existing in this space this space that
existing in this space this space that was the cradle of what we considered to
was the cradle of what we considered to
was the cradle of what we considered to be the Diaspora and I was there and I
be the Diaspora and I was there and I
be the Diaspora and I was there and I was walking I felt an even stronger
was walking I felt an even stronger
was walking I felt an even stronger connection as I walked through the
connection as I walked through the
connection as I walked through the markets and I would see elders who would
markets and I would see elders who would
markets and I would see elders who would look at me and say hey you have a kind
look at me and say hey you have a kind
look at me and say hey you have a kind of face he’s a gonner face this is a
of face he’s a gonner face this is a
of face he’s a gonner face this is a little boy with the dirty fingernails
little boy with the dirty fingernails
little boy with the dirty fingernails who fell like he wasn’t good enough and
who fell like he wasn’t good enough and
who fell like he wasn’t good enough and now am I merely walking through a market
now am I merely walking through a market
now am I merely walking through a market feeling this sense of connection no long
feeling this sense of connection no long
feeling this sense of connection no long in the two-percent but in a hundred
in the two-percent but in a hundred
in the two-percent but in a hundred percent from dodge to diaspora going
percent from dodge to diaspora going
percent from dodge to diaspora going from there standing on the shores of the
from there standing on the shores of the
from there standing on the shores of the coasts and hearing the waves crash and
coasts and hearing the waves crash and
coasts and hearing the waves crash and as my wife stood beside me at night you
as my wife stood beside me at night you
as my wife stood beside me at night you know we would go to sleep and we would
know we would go to sleep and we would
know we would go to sleep and we would we would hear the waves crashing up
we would hear the waves crashing up
we would hear the waves crashing up against the shore and it was unlike any
against the shore and it was unlike any
against the shore and it was unlike any other ways it was turbulent ways this is
other ways it was turbulent ways this is
other ways it was turbulent ways this is a space that no one we never saw anyone
a space that no one we never saw anyone
a space that no one we never saw anyone playing out in the ocean because there
playing out in the ocean because there
playing out in the ocean because there was something about that ocean that
was something about that ocean that
was something about that ocean that ocean had witnessed the horror and if
ocean had witnessed the horror and if
ocean had witnessed the horror and if you stand close enough you could feel
you stand close enough you could feel
you stand close enough you could feel the ocean extend up to up to you and a
the ocean extend up to up to you and a
the ocean extend up to up to you and a term that I heard yesterday talk with
term that I heard yesterday talk with
term that I heard yesterday talk with one of my awesome teachers Miss Lee
one of my awesome teachers Miss Lee
one of my awesome teachers Miss Lee who’s in the office she said oh that’s a
who’s in the office she said oh that’s a
who’s in the office she said oh that’s a pathetic fallacy it’s when nature takes
pathetic fallacy it’s when nature takes
pathetic fallacy it’s when nature takes on a human characteristics and I felt
on a human characteristics and I felt
on a human characteristics and I felt that and at night we would lay down and
that and at night we would lay down and
that and at night we would lay down and we were hear it and I can only imagine
we were hear it and I can only imagine
we were hear it and I can only imagine how my ancestors were in this dungeon
how my ancestors were in this dungeon
how my ancestors were in this dungeon and at night they could hear this roar
and at night they could hear this roar
and at night they could hear this roar constant roar not 100 feet from where
constant roar not 100 feet from where
constant roar not 100 feet from where they lay thinking about where they could
they lay thinking about where they could
they lay thinking about where they could ultimately end up there’s other wise
ultimately end up there’s other wise
ultimately end up there’s other wise life’s to say
life’s to say
life’s to say in force water it’s now becoming a
in force water it’s now becoming a
in force water it’s now becoming a menace that’s taking him away but I felt
menace that’s taking him away but I felt
menace that’s taking him away but I felt that power of connection and I ended up
that power of connection and I ended up
that power of connection and I ended up in a place called Bhrigu with some
in a place called Bhrigu with some
in a place called Bhrigu with some awesome students and wonderful students
awesome students and wonderful students
awesome students and wonderful students engaged students who I could see dodging
engaged students who I could see dodging
engaged students who I could see dodging their eyes as well because I talked with
their eyes as well because I talked with
their eyes as well because I talked with one young man named Manuel and I said
one young man named Manuel and I said
one young man named Manuel and I said hey Manuel what do you know about the
hey Manuel what do you know about the
hey Manuel what do you know about the United States he said the u.s. is the
United States he said the u.s. is the
United States he said the u.s. is the king of the whole world
king of the whole world
king of the whole world the US is the head of the whole world
the US is the head of the whole world
the US is the head of the whole world and I wanted to tell them Emmanuel I
and I wanted to tell them Emmanuel I
and I wanted to tell them Emmanuel I would love to be where you are I would
would love to be where you are I would
would love to be where you are I would love to be here I would love to be in
love to be here I would love to be in
love to be here I would love to be in this place which you existed I live and
this place which you existed I live and
this place which you existed I live and I live in what is arguably the country
I live in what is arguably the country
I live in what is arguably the country with the greatest opportunity however
with the greatest opportunity however
with the greatest opportunity however there’s a part of me that exists inside
there’s a part of me that exists inside
there’s a part of me that exists inside you and I would love to be able to help
you and I would love to be able to help
you and I would love to be able to help you extend that bridge over to
you extend that bridge over to
you extend that bridge over to understanding how powerful you are and
understanding how powerful you are and
understanding how powerful you are and so we went on and as I said before the
so we went on and as I said before the
so we went on and as I said before the chasing Billick project it was designed
chasing Billick project it was designed
chasing Billick project it was designed to connect Emmanuel it was designed to
to connect Emmanuel it was designed to
to connect Emmanuel it was designed to connect Seth who is in Liverpool it was
connect Seth who is in Liverpool it was
connect Seth who is in Liverpool it was designed to connect my students here in
designed to connect my students here in
designed to connect my students here in this global conversation just kind of
this global conversation just kind of
this global conversation just kind of talking essentially a penpal project
talking essentially a penpal project
talking essentially a penpal project that we talked about but the next step
that we talked about but the next step
that we talked about but the next step in that journey I realized so so many
in that journey I realized so so many
in that journey I realized so so many things is is that there’s another pretty
things is is that there’s another pretty
things is is that there’s another pretty girl and I flipped for her all the time
girl and I flipped for her all the time
girl and I flipped for her all the time well figured she’d be yes not physically
well figured she’d be yes not physically
well figured she’d be yes not physically that’s what I met but there’s another
that’s what I met but there’s another
that’s what I met but there’s another pretty girl a woman throw all with now
pretty girl a woman throw all with now
pretty girl a woman throw all with now and she has a story she she has her own
and she has a story she she has her own
and she has a story she she has her own dodge that she’s existed in haven’t been
dodge that she’s existed in haven’t been
dodge that she’s existed in haven’t been born in a place 3,000 miles south of
born in a place 3,000 miles south of
born in a place 3,000 miles south of here another part of the Diaspora where
here another part of the Diaspora where
here another part of the Diaspora where if you do your research there were
if you do your research there were
if you do your research there were millions more Africans who ended up in
millions more Africans who ended up in
millions more Africans who ended up in Brazil she was born in Baia and while
Brazil she was born in Baia and while
Brazil she was born in Baia and while we’re connecting the three points of the
we’re connecting the three points of the
we’re connecting the three points of the triangle and focusing largely on the
triangle and focusing largely on the
triangle and focusing largely on the North American side of it there is a
North American side of it there is a
North American side of it there is a large large group of people who will go
large large group of people who will go
large large group of people who will go and will connect with in this idea of
and will connect with in this idea of
and will connect with in this idea of going from Taj to diaspora and
going from Taj to diaspora and
going from Taj to diaspora and understanding that to take away from
understanding that to take away from
understanding that to take away from this experience is the people it’s the
this experience is the people it’s the
this experience is the people it’s the Emmanuel’s it’s the kids along the way
Emmanuel’s it’s the kids along the way
Emmanuel’s it’s the kids along the way it’s the kids in my classroom they’re
it’s the kids in my classroom they’re
it’s the kids in my classroom they’re gonna be the ones who gonna take what
gonna be the ones who gonna take what
gonna be the ones who gonna take what we’re doing and leave from it they’re
we’re doing and leave from it they’re
we’re doing and leave from it they’re gonna be the ones who gonna get away
gonna be the ones who gonna get away
gonna be the ones who gonna get away from these late ladies early early you
from these late ladies early early you
from these late ladies early early you know notions late 19th century actually
know notions late 19th century actually
know notions late 19th century actually early 20th century notions of what
early 20th century notions of what
early 20th century notions of what Africa is what these dark spaces are
Africa is what these dark spaces are
Africa is what these dark spaces are what these people are because the
what these people are because the
what these people are because the journey is all about people and I’m
journey is all about people and I’m
journey is all about people and I’m fortunate to be in a position to be able
fortunate to be in a position to be able
fortunate to be in a position to be able to do that but what’s next and I talked
to do that but what’s next and I talked
to do that but what’s next and I talked about the magic of this place like how I
about the magic of this place like how I
about the magic of this place like how I went from here last time and all of a
went from here last time and all of a
went from here last time and all of a sudden you know opportunities happen so
sudden you know opportunities happen so
sudden you know opportunities happen so thank you Lizzy Creek because the next
thank you Lizzy Creek because the next
thank you Lizzy Creek because the next step in the journey for me is to go down
step in the journey for me is to go down
step in the journey for me is to go down to South America to go to Brazil to
to South America to go to Brazil to
to South America to go to Brazil to discover the voices to discover the
discover the voices to discover the
discover the voices to discover the bodies to discover all of the students
bodies to discover all of the students
bodies to discover all of the students who are down there who want to know
who are down there who want to know
who are down there who want to know about where they exists in this larger
about where they exists in this larger
about where they exists in this larger diaspora so from – the Diaspora it’s a
diaspora so from – the Diaspora it’s a
diaspora so from – the Diaspora it’s a continuing journey that I am on and if
continuing journey that I am on and if
continuing journey that I am on and if your note from the picture I ultimately
your note from the picture I ultimately
your note from the picture I ultimately walked into that door which is now the
walked into that door which is now the
walked into that door which is now the door of return and I was told by the
door of return and I was told by the
door of return and I was told by the tour guide that the door of no return
tour guide that the door of no return
tour guide that the door of no return was converted to the door returned for
was converted to the door returned for
was converted to the door returned for all the Africans who were ever displaced
all the Africans who were ever displaced
all the Africans who were ever displaced from that place and it was a way of them
from that place and it was a way of them
from that place and it was a way of them walking about welcome
walking about welcome
walking about welcome meeting us back so I thank you all for
meeting us back so I thank you all for
meeting us back so I thank you all for your time and I appreciate you all
your time and I appreciate you all
your time and I appreciate you all listening from Dodge to diaspora thank
listening from Dodge to diaspora thank
listening from Dodge to diaspora thank you
you
you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
you
you [Music]
”
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