Story of the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s Seminole History and the Underground Railroad on Florida TV

FLORIDA CROSSROADS

FLORIDA’S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: SOUTHERN ROUTE TO FREEDOM

Centuries before a secret network was formed to help slaves escape to Northern states and Canada, The Underground Railroad ran South.  As early as 1587, Spain’s La Florida was recorded to be a safe haven for freedom seekers resisting enslavement. In this Florida Crossroads, we remember those Southern Routes to Freedom and the unique group of African descendants called Gullah/Geechee who are still fighting to preserve their identity in America today.

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and William Jefferson who is on the Gullah/Geechee Nation Assembly of Representatives are two of the Gullah/Geechee Seminole Maroon family featured in this piece produced by Florida Reporter Theresa Marsenburg.

Reporter/Producer Theresa Marsenburg of Florida TV took a truth seeking journey with Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation along the path that Gullah/Geechee freedom seekers took from Carolina into La Florida.

The piece can be viewed online at

http://thefloridachannel.org/video/floridas-underground-railroad-southern-route-to-freedom/

Those in Florida can view FLORIDA CROSSROADS PBS COVERAGE beginning on October 22, 2012:

WJCT (JACKSONVILLE)  TUESDAY 2:30 PM
WGCU (FORT MYERS)  TUESDAY 12:30 AM
WFSU (TALLAHASSEE) THURSDAY 8:00 PM AND SUNDAY 11:00 AM
WEDU(TAMPA)  SUNDAY 1:30 PM
WFSG (PANAMA CITY) THURSDAY 8:30PM AND SUNDAY 11:30 AM
WXEL(WEST PALM BEACH) TUESDAY 5:30 PM
THE FLORIDA CHANNEL  DAILY 7:00AM AND 7:00 PM
Disya finlee gwine hep de famlee een Floyda an Bahamas fa kno who webe!  Tenki tenki ta FL TV!

10 Comments

  1. Reblogged this on House of the Divine Prince, TyE Potions and Hoodoo Central and commented:
    This is my story.

  2. We ayn totally blind Queen! Tenke gawd fa hunnuh open we eyes mo! Luv you fa lyfe.

  3. Wow, i had no idea!

  4. Stella Napier Flagler Brown

    Hi, my fathers family is from St. Stephen, South Carolina. I had never heard of the Gullah Geechee until today. I often wondered why I have the Geechee accent when I speak. I am so glad that you all put this information on line, because I now know why I speak the way I speak, and I am proud of it. I use to live around the corner from Armstrong as a young child in Elkton, FL. I would like to meet with some of you all at some point to discuss this information further. Again, thank you.

    • Gladdee hunnuh dey ya! Come out to some of the events and you will definitely meet us!

  5. Good info. Thank!

  6. Does anyone know of the connection between Edisto, SC and the area in Mandarin, FL that was called Edisto (now pretty much gone due to development). Thanks, Sandy

    • Peace Tracey!

      We do not know this yet, but we are working on a project about links and will add Edisto in Mandarin, FL to the research.

  7. bsgriffim

    Wow, such good informtiion. I’m going take to my family reunion. I live n Florida by way of NY but our family is from Charleston, 2 genrations back. Thanks for history about Ghee chee Gullah nation. Proud!!

    • Peace!

      Gladdee disya hep hunnuh! Please consider having your family come to one of the “Gullah/Geechee Reunions” which is part of the “Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™.” Gwine ta http://www.gullahgeechee.info.

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