While African American history has somehow been politicized and targeted by right-wing zealots, the agonizing story of the slave trade, which brought many Black families’ first forebearers to these shores, must never be forgotten.
In acknowledging the horror of slavery and the ultimate triumph of Black Americans who survived this shameful and heinous period of U.S. history, The Griot Museum of Black History welcomed Kwesi Essel-Blankson, author of “Our Story: Cape Coast Castle & The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade” on Tuesday evening.
Despite myths to the contrary, enslaved Africans enriched the Americas not just through their labor but also through a transfer of vital skills and knowledge. In addition, rather than accepting their fate, they engaged in powerful acts of resistance.
The Ghanian Cultural free event, held in Essel-Blankson’s honor, included spoken word, an African Dance Troupe, and a book signing. Guests were dressed in their finest traditional African attire and enjoyed authentic Ghanaian food.
Dennis-Nana, a retired career foreign service officer who coordinated former President Barack Obama’s historic Cape Coast, Ghana visit on behalf of the US Embassy, celebrated with guests and shared her history.
The event had teachings of rich African heritage stories that guests soaked up tales and stories from the beginning to the end while enjoying Ghanaian traditional dishes, including “apra pran sah.”
The culinary dish is served only on festive occasions, and the meal also included Groundnut Stew, Ghana’s national dish served with fufu/kenke/banku, waayke (beans/rice), Ghana Jollof Rice, charcoal chicken, and fish.
“I’m very excited and pleased about the quality of the food. I want St. Louis to have some authentic African food beyond jollof rice,” said Regina Dennis-Nana, who was passionately called Mama Regina in the community.
While giving a brief history lesson on traditional Ghanaian food, and dishes from other countries in Africa, Dennis-Nana said with a smile “people in St. Louis just got hip to FuFu and now ask me to cook it.”
Essel-Blankson, who resides in Ghana, is on a nationwide tour following the August release of his book.
He explained that his work weaves historical data and current affairs together to explain the dynamics of the Trans-Atlantic slavery trade. He shared the story of the song “Amazing Grace” and invited the audience to sing in English while he sang a Ghanaian song to the same tune.
The author has been a tour guide at the Cape Coast Castle for over 20 years, including dignitaries, such as former U.S. President, Barack Obama, and his family in 2009.
“It was such a privilege and honor to show people around in Ghana,” said Essel-Blankson.
“The history of Africans during the Atlantic Slave Trade is misrepresented, and it is our responsibility as people who are part of the African Diaspora to learn the truth and teach it in our families and communities.”
Few Americans, including Black Americans, know that the United Nations recognizes The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade annually on March 25.
According to the UN, the day “is a time for reflection.”
Despite myths to the contrary, enslaved Africans enriched the Americas not just through their labor but also through a transfer of vital skills and knowledge. In addition, rather than accepting their fate, they engaged in powerful acts of resistance.
The transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, which operated between the 15th and late 19th centuries, involved the trafficking of millions of women, men and children, mostly from West Africa to the Americas.
While making vast fortunes for enslavers, ship companies, and many businesses, it also gave rise to false narratives of white supremacy and racial inferiority, which were used to justify slavery and are still part of American culture to this day.
The transatlantic trade still impacts conceptions of race and “an understanding of this period is necessary to fight its legacies, including racism and prejudice.”
This is why Essel-Blankson’s book, and his tour are essential to continued understanding of the slave trade and its ongoing influence on American society.
The event opened with a drum call and an African performance from the Spirit of Angela West African Dance Troupe. Spoken word artist Stacee ‘Slo Burn’ Dixon moved the audience as guests often softly murmured “amen” to her words of truth and triumph and what she experienced during her pilgrimage to Ghana.
The Griot Museum of Black History is partnering with the St. Louis Art Museum’s “Narrative Wisdom and African Arts Exhibit,” which will be on display until February 16, 2025.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.