Hilton Head Island, SC and De @GullahGeechee

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ July 22, 2020 ♦ 1 Comment

As “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week 2020” approaches, the Town of Hilton Head Island, SC has once again proclaimed the week of celebration:

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) was also invited back to WHHI-TV to discuss the coming telethon, “Taking a Stand for Gullah/Geechee Land! #GullahGeechee2020” which will be held live virtually on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from Noon to 2 pm EST:

Queen Quet has continued to focus on the continuation of Gullah/Geechee land ownership. To that end, she has spoken out and written about the tremendous land and cultural loss on Hilton Head Island for decades. The one time that Queen Quet was invited to received the proclamation in person from the town, they also announced a “Gullah/Geechee Task Force” that would be formed. Yet, since it has been formed signs of “Historic Gullah Neighborhoods” have gone up and native Gullah/Geechee families (which do not appear to be truly represented on this task force) continue to be displaced. In fact, the Town of Hilton Head is widening Highway 278 again which will displace and disrupt the lives of more people just as the lengthening of the runway to the airport will displace historic spiritual centers of the Gullah/Geechee community.

After inaugural Gullah/Geechee Nation Wisdom Circle Council of Elders members, Dr. Amir Jamal Toure went back to his roots on Hilton Head Island for Juneteenth and called out the continued use of the word “plantation” on gated areas, a petition to remove this word from plantations and resorts in Beaufort County was received by the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. They elevated the visibility of the petition which had stalled with less than 5000 signatures and now not only is that petition just short of five figures, a new petition was sent to them to also remove the word “plantation” from subdivisions in other counties in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

https://www.change.org/p/beaufort-county-s-gated-communities-should-not-be-called-plantations

https://www.change.org/p/charleston-berkeley-dorchester-take-a-stand-remove-or-replace-the-word-plantation-in-our-subdivision-names?fbclid=IwAR0h1o-jH40CakDmDPOSIQ7nMbpVNDn81vTvgid3dwJe-8D5727oLnALk9o

These petitions have started to gain more exposure in the mainstream media as well. Signing them is part of the “20 Ways een 20 Day fa Support @GullahGeechee” list of activities:

https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2020/07/01/20-ways-een-20-days-fa-support-de-gullahgeechee/

We pray that not only those that are now living on Hilton Head Island and throughout the world fully participate in all 20 of the activities, but that Hilton Head Island becomes a place that changes the trajectory of its story and truly begins to revive and celebrate the Gullah/Geechee legacy and not simply museumize it. E time fa de Gullah/Geechee fa hab equity includin whey de gated areas and resorts be! So, the celebration is a beginning, but let’s get to living together respectfully without gates and with equality. When there is equity, equality, and respect, no gates of separation are necessary and everyone can live in freedom without anyone being left on the plantation. Win da dey git ya, e gwine be a shoutin and drum soundin celebration!