Black Identity and Black History: The Gullah/Geechee Legacy

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ February 9, 2025 ♦ 8 Comments

Albeit that race is a construct, it is one on which America was built and continues to operate within. As a result, the manner in which one “identifies” may bring internal conflict when the world view of who you are meets with who you are struggling or striving to be. Most native Gullah/Geechees have had to contend with this due to the fact that our elders and ancestors were often taught to devalue their cultural heritage traditions and even their appearances if they were “too African.” School teachers and administrators (notice that I did not say “educators”) literally beat the language out of many people on the Sea Islands and told us “You will never get anywhere in life speaking like that.”

The unfortunate reality that I thought my over 40 years of work had helped my people to overcome is continuing to play out in schools once again. Although the corporal punishment has been stopped, the psychological beatings continue.

Black History Month is a time that I have enjoyed all of my life since it has always been a time that I saw not only my family that is proud to be Black and Gullah/Geechee engage in celebration but it was also when I saw others that tended to be more American for the majority of the year adorn themselves in some African or African inspired attire and possibly pick out their afros or wear braids. At a minimum, they put on a T-shirt or two with some African history or a “Say It Loud! I’m Black and I’m Proud” type wording printed on it. If they didn’t go into work wearing it, they at least walked the streets on the weekend or came to church decked out with a glow of pride in their eyes. The imagery did make a difference as I grew up witnessing this but even more than that, hearing the stories of what took place before I was on the earth from the mouths of those that lived it or as it was epically portrayed in films and TV series such as “Roots” and “Drum,” etc. left indelible marks. I am blessed with a vivid imagination so reading the biographies and autobiographies of Black ancestors such as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and Booker T Washington all left their marks as well.

When I reflect back and look now, I immediately see why things are not being taken to heart or ingrained in the minds and souls of many Black youths about their own identities and their own stories. Some didn’t descend from families that ever took an interest in learning about Black history from TV, museums or books and if it was left to the classrooms of America, that was definitely never a priority because the “lost cause doctrine” could not stand with the full history of America which tells what African people actually built and contributed and continue to sustain in spite of various denials. Also, the programming of extraction and distraction that technology is being used for globally (I am a computer scientists. Therefore, I am providing an expert opinion not just an opinion in this regard.) does not loan itself to retention. In order to fully be a steward of anything, one must retain things and that includes retaining your cultural identity and in the case of native Gullah/Geechees, we don’t do that effectively without retaining our land.

As more and more interculturalism takes place, I am seeing more and more Black youths that make me wonder if I need to check a calendar to find out what year we are in. Even in the midst of Black History Month, they are not proud to be Black or they “don’t identify” as Black. Simultaneously, having dialogues about this, I am hearing about the mental health struggles and declines that are taking place amongst not only those defined as “youths” based on their legal age but also on adults that are over 21. There are those that want to stand proudly in the celebration of their culture and their identity as Black people but are cautious because those surrounding them may not feel “comfortable” or “join” them in doing so. I can only pray that they create a playlist of one song and learn every word and begin to use this as a mantra until they act on another song and actually “Get up! Stand up!” That one song that they need to download and keep on repeat was already referenced above and that is James Brown’s “Say It Loud! I’m Black and I’m Proud!”

This is happening on one end during this Black History Month and I have had a 180 degree experience on the other end as people who are classified and identify as white say they want to be “adopted Gullah/Geechee.” No doubt they are not saying what they really mean directly to me as some of my other allies have done in the past i.e. “I want to be Gullah/Geechee.” This dichotomy during Black History Month (which isn’t even halfway completed) is one that has caused me to go into deep prayer for the global Black community with the people of African descent in America at the top of the list.

If there is ever a time to make time to do more introspection, family research, and cultural identification if you are a melanated person in America, it is NOW! As Dr. King said, “Now recognize the urgency of the moment!” As Gil Scott Heron said, “Now more than ever, all the family must be together.” The unity of the Black community during Black History Month can provide a great deal of the psychological healing and the “safe spaces” that I see many Black people of all ages searching for. The healing that flows through accepting knowledge about the totality of the global Black story can be enriching and enlightening. Light is what is needed the world over at such a time as this. So, I choose to identify as a person of enlightenment that seeks to enlighten others. I am not responsible for those that decide that the light was too bright so they what to turn it off.

Our ancestors often held candlelight vigils and I led some in my youth as well. I am inspired to light a candle every day for the rest of this month as I pray that our Black families as a whole will catch on fire with wanting to stand up pridefully and in their identity as people that descend from those whose strength is the very reason that the Black race has survived and continues to strive. We have a right to celebrate that identity not only in February but every day of the year! I choose to continue to share Black history in order to help others in their search for truth and identity because by doing so I honor my ancestors and continue the Gullah/Geechee legacy. I look forward to hearing from those of you that are willing to join me!

GAWD bless up hunnuh chillun wha gladdee fa be who hunnuh be!

Happy Black History Month,

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation

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Tune in to Gullah/Geechee TV to hear Queen Quet‘s Black Student Union Black History Month presentation: