Jeanita Jinnah

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Thinking about the African ancestors who were kidnapped from their homes and families, and taken to a foreign land far, far away never to see their home or family again.

What it must have been like to have had your very life snatched away from you without even a care or concern by the ones who kidnapped you.

Those Africans had dreams and plans for their lives.

Some had spouses and children that they were so mercilessly taken away from, never to be seen again.

Some had parents, grandparents, and siblings who would never get the chance to hold or kiss their loved ones again.

Their tight-knit African community was stripped of a beloved community member who added value and a sense of family unity to their community.

But the European men, and their African helpers, who kidnapped these people’s dreams, who kidnapped their plans, and who kidnapped their sense of a loving and supportive community could care less about any of this. The only thing that mattered to them at that moment was the promise of a monetary reward for betraying a family, a community, and a country.

This was the only thing that these heartless kidnappers valued. Money, riches and wealth – of course, at the expense of other people’s sufferings.

Yes, the love of money is indeed the root of all manner of evil.

For when Africans dream a dream no one seems to care.

These Africans who had been snatched away from their land also had their identities taken away as well.

They were not allowed to use the names their African parents had given them. So, their identity was stolen from them.

They were not allowed to practice their African culture. So, their culture was stolen from them.

They were not even allowed to form meaningful family bonds with the new families they had attained while living hostage in this foreign land. So, their new family was stolen from them as well.

They were not allowed to dream new dreams while being held captive on this strange land. So, their new dreams were stolen away from them as well.

For when Africans dream a dream no one seems to care.

But one thing I can say about our African ancestors is that they were, and we continue to be, resilient people.

They were, and we continue to be, people who have learned to persevere in spite of unimaginable opposition.

Our African ancestors, and we continue to be, strong people with an indomitable spirit.

They are, and we continue to be able to tap into our God-given gifts and talents to create, sustain, and maintain our dignity in spite of the opposition.

For when Africans dream a dream no one seems to care.