Civil War 3-#StoptheDrill and #GullahGeechee

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ February 16, 2018 ♦ 3 Comments

Our morning began in the cold as we left St. Helena Island.  We were on the road at the hour that most of our ancestors and elders had to journey out into the fields and into the creeks.  Ain bin dayclean yet.   Even though the sun wasn’t shining and the wind was cutting, the more of us that got into the car, the warmer it got.  By the time we got to the bus in Yemassee, our fire for freedom was a blaze and it felt hot.

As our bus headed up the ramp from Beaufort County, more buses left from Georgetown and Charleston County.   They thought that they would make the decisions for us in the Midlands and in DC, but we were coming to let them know that we already decided what would take place in the Lowcountry to protect the Gullah/Geechee.

On board the bus, I felt like we were taking yet another freedom ride and through it would have to turn this political tide.  As I stood on the steps of the South Carolina State House, I stood firm and listened very closely.  As I heard the words from the representative from Greeleyville ringing out saying “We want our freedom now!” coupled with the words back to back from the other representatives saying that we are here to send a clear message to Washington, DC, I stood there thinking “South Carolina is firing again and this will be Civil War 3!”

South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the Union if you will recall the history.  Reconstruction was, as the documentary is entitled, “the second civil war” for Black people coming out of slavery.   So, as the words rang out that we will NOT be dictated to by DC, I stood there proud that so many agree with the stand of the Gullah/Geechee.

Gullah/Geechee natives Michael F. Rivers and Robert Brown who are representatives in the South Carolina Legislature came and stood with the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association.  The moment will forever be embossed in my mind and in ourstory of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.  In order to #StoptheDrill and #ProtectOurCoast we took a stand.  We will NOT allow seismic guns and oil to destroy our cultural heritage, our waters, and our Sea Island sand!   We stood for those that can no longer physically march nor stand and we will continue this fight with all that we can.

United were the people that took this freedom journey from our coast to the middle of the state and I will never forget the powerful energy that filled us on that date.   It is now time to get more people to speak through their pens and online.  We have until March 8th to enter comments in opposition to seismic guns and oil drilling one more time.  I pray that folks will write in to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) juss likka we.  We will not give up the fight to protect our homeland nor the sea!   Hunnuh chllun, cum be souljahs een disya armee wid de #GullahGeechee!  Cum unite een disya fight wid we!

by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com)

To hear some of the words Queen Quet shared at the rally to #StoptheDrill and #ProtectOurCoast, check out some of the media coverage:

• http://www.wltx.com/video/news/local/hundreds-gather-in-opposition-of-offshore-drilling/101-8007623

• http://www.wistv.com/clip/14124082/busloads-of-oil-drilling-protesters-confront-boem-in-town-hall-event

• https://www.facebook.com/StopOffshoreDrillingintheAtlantic/videos/2116119771957757/

After viewing, please get your comments in to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).   You can submit the comments and letters here: https://www.boem.gov/National-Program-Comment/  Please cc the letters to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at GullGeeCo@aol.com as well.