Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week 2015-Gwine tru de Coast fa Keep de Culcha!
Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week 2015 will be celebrated throughout the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida portions of the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s coast July 25-August 2, 2015. Queen Quet states, “We gwine tru de coast fa keep de culcha!” The week will be a journey into the living traditions of native Gullah/Geechees as those that want to learn about this unique indigenous national linguistic and ethnic minority take Gullah/Geechee owned and operated tours to Gullah/Geechee businesses and historic sites .Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the events that are highlights of this nine days of activities which will honor the lives and legacies of the Emanuel 9.
De Gullah/Geechee Nation Season of Celebration een De Conch!
In the May and July 2015 editions, De Conch presents information on the season of celebration in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Both editions provide details on festivals and coming events in which people that seek to learn accurate information about and want to economically empower the Gullah/Geechee Nation can participate in. Ef bout we culcha hunnuh wan kno, den yeddi de conch da blo!
De Conch Special Edition Honors the Emanuel 9
De Gullah/Geechee Nation bowed its head to mourn the deaths of nine of its citizens that were assassinated in the Charleston Massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. This special edition of De Conch pays tribute to their lives and offers information about the ways that people can contribute to an array of memorial funds and scholarships that have been set up in their honor.
Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association Celebrates 5 Years at Penn Center, Inc.
Annually, the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association has a community celebration to engage more Gullah/Geechee fishing families in their efforts and to celebrate with supporters of the association. This year, their celebration will be “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day at Penn Center, Inc.” The event will take place at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District in conjunction with 2nd Saturdays at the York W. Bailey Museum on Saturday, July 11, 2015 from Noon to 4 pm.
Queen Quet: Continuing the Gullah/Geechee Nation Human Rights Journey and Legacy
This July 2nd I see all of this and I see that GOD has shown me to continue to do the work to which and for which I am called because there is somebody somewhere to whom this work makes a difference and whose life will be better because they can truly be free because Denmark Vesey, Patrice Lumumba, Clementa C. Pinckney and I took this journey.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Emerges from Tragedy into Celebration
In the wake of the recent tragedy during which the Gullah/Geechee Nation lost nine of its citizens during what has been deemed the “Charleston Massacre,” they continue to walk on with the pride and dignity of their ancestors as they come out of a period of mourning into a time of celebration. What would be an annual time to celebrate Gullah/Geechee traditions and culture is now also a time to celebrate the lives of the Emanuel 9. The Gullah/Geechee Nation will have a series of events that will take place during the month of July in order to honor the legacies of these nine souls and to bring the Gullah/Geechee family together on the coast from Jacksonville, NC to Jacksonville, FL.
9 Days of Mourning in the Gullah/Geechee Nation: The Songs Return
Emanuel 9, trust me, we sing these songs and we know your souls are clapping and shouting with us because these songs have brought us a mighty long way. So, for you, I sing another song today after nine days of mourning.
Gwine ta Church: The Aftermath of the Charleston Massacre by Queen Quet
Just as in many historical times past, the acts of lynching of a community member and acts of bombings and burnings of Black churches caused us to hurt, but in that hurt we came together to uplift each other, the same is taking place now. One of the first messages to me in South Carolina came from supporters of the Gullah/Geechee Nation in Florida that wanted us to know that they are praying and standing in solidarity with the Gullah/Geechee Nation at their church. I gave thanks. Once again, we were coming together.
Queen Quet to De Charleston Gullah/Geechee Family in Honor of My Friend Clementa Pinckney
“I went passed the church yesterday and the day before
And it looked like no one was there to open the door.
I wondered if my BrotherPastorFriend was there.
I wanted to just hug Clementa again and to share.
I went passed the church to be
With more of my Charleston Gullah/Geechee Family,
I got to a place that I know Clementa would appreciate fa tru
Cuz dem chillun bin da shout een dey and say ‘Hallelujah’ too!
I thought that this was why I didn’t need to go in the church door
Since just down the street we praised and fellowshipped some more.
I thought to myself, I would call him and another friend when I came back next week.
I wanted us to have time together because whenever we got to talk it was peaceful and sweet.
It was always about what we could do to uplift our people together.
Yes, Clementa Pinckney was the pastor and community leader that was there no matter the weather!
I still kept wondering if all with him was well because something was speaking to me about him
So, I could not believe it when I looked on Facebook and saw a post ever so grim.
I had to re-read the header for a few before I could click the link
Because it was just hours before that the Spirit told me to leave Charleston and I left without a blink.
I was now blinking to bring clarity to what was before my eyes
And I tried to convince myself not to get upset because on Facebook folks can post some lies!
I turned on the TV and tried to move quickly
To find a channel called MSNBC.
As soon as I got to it, I saw faces that I know
And I cried out to GOD, “Please say it ain’t so!”
They were speaking of nine people having been shot in the church that I had passed every day this week.
The same church in which I’ve prayed, sang, and been invited to speak!
Before I could focus to read what scrolled by on the screen,
I heard words that I know, but had to pause to insure what these words did mean-
9 shot while in Emmanuel AME?
No! NO! This cannot be!
I was looking for my BrotherPastorFriend there
Just so he would know that I care.
As I thought this, I heard his name and another reverend said,
“We can confirm that Senator Clementa Pinckney is one of the 9 dead.”
I heard nothing else that this man said by phone over the broadcast
Because I had to grab the wall and holdfast.
I then grabbed my faith and held on too
And prayed to GOD that this report was untrue.
I let the TV stay on the bad news that I rarely watch listening for a correction
But GOD was speaking to me and telling me, “This is why you wanted to make the connection.”
I sat down and called family.
I sat back and prayed for the Nation of the Gullah/Geechee.
I then felt the pain that I would no longer see
My BrotherFriendPastor, Clementa Pinckney.
Although the Spirit led me to leave Charleston before the gun fired
In these wee hours of the morning I have not yet retired
Because I am embracing all of my Charleston family
And praying that all that made their crossing this evening will rest peacefully.
My family I love you and I am here for you as we work together to heal in unity.
GAWD please hold up hunnuh Gullah/Geechee famlee and heal allawe.”
Peace,
Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
South Carolina Senator Clementa Pinckney stands with Queen Quet whom he had honored through a state resolution. The two united on many issues to uplift the Gullah/Geechee community in SC. He will truly be missed.
Come Celebrate Juneteenth at the Jepson with the Gullah/Geechee Family!
Come meet Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com), Amiri Farris, Amir Jamal Toure, and many more of the native of the Gullah/Geechee Nation at the Juneteenth at the Jepson in Savannah, GA in the Gullah/Geechee Nation!