Tag Archives: self-determination
Queen’s Chronicles: Stayed on Freedom-22 Years of Gullah/Geechee Self-Determination
The power of Gullah/Geechee unity is rejuvenating while the consistent packaging our culture for the use of tourists vexes the soul and almost boggles the mind. I state “almost” because as a scholar of history, I am well aware that at every stage of Black advancement, there have been those that never wanted freedom because it is isn’t free. Freedom requires constant due diligence, consistency and sacrifice. The cost that this totals for Gullah/Geechee has been over 4 decades of my life which includes 25 years of actually awakening every day to seek out more knowledge about my people, our land and then to invest in protecting them both.
Fa Mama Dem een de Gullah/Geechee Nation: A Legacy of Gullah/Geechee Female Freedom Fighters
Every Women’s Herstory Month / Black Women’s Herstory Month, I reflect on the blessed harvest of knowledge that GOD has allowed me to cultivate by not simply reading about or watching videos of these powerfilled Gullah/Geechee female freedom fighters. I give thanks for the abundant harvest that has been part of my life because they each saw fit to plant seeds of knowledge into my mind and soul. They showed me tools to use at the right time to cut out things that would not be beneficial nor uplifting to me or to the movement for the rights of women, Black people and especially those that are Gullah/Geechee. They knew how and when to cut just as my mother does and all her mothers before her did. I am thankful that they placed the knife in my hands in the field.
20 Years as Queen: Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Reflects on Queen Quet
On April 1, 1999, Marquetta L. Goodwine whose roots stem from St. Helena, Polowana, and Dataw Islands in Beaufort County, SC sat down before the world in Genéva, Switzerland. She became the first Gullah/Geechee to speak before the United Nations Human Rights Commission. She had no idea that when the clock on the wall stopped at zero that a clock that would be ticking to alter the trajectory of her life would begin running. She has been running in syncopation with it ever since.
Tenk GAWD fa de #GullahGeechee! De Gullah/Geechee Nation Celebrates E 19th Anniversary!
On July 2, 2000, the Gullah/Geechee people came together from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida to stand united at Sullivan’s Island, SC. On that day, they confirmed a one year long election of their first official “head pun de bodee” of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. They not only presented their declaration as a nation to the world before United Nations observers and on land owned by the United States federal government, they also enstooled their own leader.
19 Year Gullah/Geechee Human Rights Legacy
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation is the elected head-of-state and spokesperson for the Gullah/Geechee. She is a directorate member of the International Human Rights Association for American Minorities (IHRAAM). Since she first went before the United Nations on April 1, 1999, she has also been an active part in numerous UN NGO conferences, the Minority Forum, the Indigenous Peoples Forum, COP 22, and the Oceans Forum. She continues to be a tireless human rights advocate and defender.Â
Queen’s Chronicles: #GullahGeechee Golden Isles
No doubt it is difficult for those that go to a monument such as the truly artistic one that makes people aware of The Wanderer which was the last documented enslavement vessel to arrive on North American soil to leave that location on Jekyll Island and make the connection to the thousands of Gullah/Geechees that live in neighboring areas such as St. Simon’s Island and Brunswick, GA. However, these are the nuggets of the Golden Isles that hold the stories of self-determination of our ancestors and many of their descendants are those that have resisted allowing their stories to be forgotten.
Queen’s Chronicle: #GullahGeechee Nation Appreciation
Disya da de chillun wha da shout wid we fa disya “Celebration of Self-Determination” which is the theme for this year’s “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.” When the Gullah/Geechees stood together on Sullivan’s Island to tell people that we stand on our human right to self-determination, this brought about a critical shift in the way the world started to see us. In fact, it started to cause the world to actually see us.
Berkeley County Proclaims Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week!
For the second year running, Berkeley County, SC has proclaimed “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week!”
De Drum Soundin fa #GullahGeechee Nation Appreciation Week!
As Black Music Month came to an end, the sounds of the drum could still be heard throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation from Jacksonville, NC to Jacksonville, FL. The drums are sounding in celebration as county and town councils from North Carolina to Florida are proclaiming “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week” from July 30-August 7, 2016. The theme for the celebration is “A Celebration of Self-Determination.”
Port Royal Proclaims Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week 2016!
The Town of Port Royal, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation proclaimed “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week” 2016! Mayor Samuel Murray presented Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) with the proclamation at the town hall.