A Journey of Reconciliation
From left to right, I’m surrounded by my cousin, Professor Ligia Grenald, Jessica Mbengani, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, my Mom, Cleota Gibson, Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the D. R. of the Congo, and Dr. Melida Harris-Barrow.
This year has been filled with opportunities to reflect on and continue reconnecting with my ancestral roots. One powerful experience of this was attending and participating as panelist in the Journey of Reconciliation, which took place in my Panama during May, its Black History Month. This conference included Kings and Queens from Africa, the King of Hawaii, Panama's Congolese Queen, and members of Panama's indigenous groups. The vision of this first event of its kind, to be held annually around the world, was to begin a process of re-encountering between Mother Africa and the diaspora. At the core of this encounter is the healing of the division systematically created and reinforced through the oppressor's dehumanizing agenda to appropriate resources worldwide.
We went deeply into generations of pain stemming from the horrors of enslavement, marginalization, and unattended wounds that keep us frozen and sabotage moving from survival into thriving. These wounds include the ones resulting from treating ourselves and our community with the stinging and persistent cruelty of internalized false beliefs about our worthiness as humans. This healing involves practicing what event organizer Dr. Melida Harris-Barrow constantly repeated as a call to action throughout the conference, "renew your mind"...Yes, renewing our mind as a community is to see ourselves in the diaspora and in Africa for who we truly are: beautiful expressions of humanness alive to cultivate our gifts, learn from each other, collaborate, and contribute to a vision of global wellness that honors equity and inclusion. We can do so by standing firmly anchored on a legacy of resilience and wisdom from our ancestors, and an understanding of the benevolence and peacefulness of true power.
Presentation of the flag of the African diaspora designated as the 6th region of Africa.
Upon arrival at the conference, the palpable high energy of reunion filled the space. The gorgeous garb that celebrates the richness of our heritage, the music, dancing, chanting, singing, praying, crying, and breathing in a sense of enthusiasm and pride are all elements that I will never forget experiencing. The first day of the conference alone felt epic! What an amazing day of reflection, fellowship, merriment, and liberation! Someone said to me that it felt like a “spiritual bath”…Agreed! It was powerful to come together to immerse ourselves into diverse narratives of our diaspora and the common threads that unite us. We’re a powerful people. All the survival that’s brought us to this moment is beyond description. It’s time to thrive. I’m encouraged.
For a week, we engaged in listening to many speeches about hope, the invaluable benefits of learning history strategically excluded from the academic setting, and sharing with all who visited Panama for this event. Given that the indigenous people of the world continue to suffer, both the indigenous representatives of Panama and the King of Hawaii, Edmund Keli'i Paki-Silva, Jr. spoke passionately on the urgency of learning from the wisdom of these communities to recover from disconnection from earth and its constant teachings about life and harmony.
Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the D. R. of the Congo and my Mom, Cleota Gibson.
Pastor Kelvin Sauls, Professor Ligia Grenald
Along with African Studies professor and industrial engineer Ligia Grenald and mental health advocate Derreka Rollins, I participated on a panel named "From Stigmatization to Compassion and Restoration" moderated by Pastor Kelvin Sauls, who hails from South Africa. This courageous conversation, as he referred to it, had such a heartening effect on us, while we encouraged our audience to embrace education about African history to reconnect with ancestral strengths, dismantle misconceptions and end division. I addressed what the clinical community is learning about Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, thanks to the studies of Dr. Joy DeGruy, and the importance of continuing to destigmatize the need for healing through acknowledging the harrowing impact of long-standing pain. This panel discussion also focused on highlighting the many ways---conscious and unconscious---in which we already engage in healing practices. Our African traditions throughout the diaspora manifest in our music, religious practices, food stories, and more. Thankfully, attendees responded with openness to continue exploring various forms of attending to pain, while validating justifiable suspicion about psychotherapy and welcoming information to make informed decisions.
Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the D. R. of the Congo conducting the Ceremony of Reconciliation
Admittedly, the conference events that reverberate the most in my memory of this journey are the presentation of a flag for the African diaspora as the 6th region of Africa, as well as the Ceremony of Reconciliation, both at the Latin American Parliament. These added yet another layer to reuniting with the continent. To see a flag for us descendants all over the world brought such a sense of belonging. Now, the Ceremony of Reconciliation, curated by Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the D. R. of the Congo, moved us all to tears, and even sobbing. In it, Queen Diambi guided us in reflection about the history of humankind emerging in Africa, recognizing our contributions to world culture, as in the arts and sciences, and the need for healing among the oppressed and oppressors. As she referred to "the house of lies" that have kept us all in pain, the message resonated with the idea that healing requires learning about context influencing trauma and demolish falsehoods that sustain dysfunction at all levels.
The symbolism in the items chosen by Queen Diambi to describe what is required for reconciliation with ourselves and each other included the mingling of water from Africa with water from Panama, after requesting permission from the indigenous people present, to represent reconnection. Also, soil from Africa was at the table for us all to touch, upon her invitation, as a way to return to Africa. A candle represented the light to illuminate dark places of pain; and honey served to invoke the sweetening and lubrication essential to the reflection process of healing. Truly, so much more took place than this, and it defies description in words. This community experience of bonding, when everyone present approached the ceremony table to touch all symbolic items offered prompted tears of joy and release, while we all hugged each other. Queen Diambi, as welcoming as she is, said to me when I thanked her for this ceremony, that it happened in the spirit of Ubuntu (African word meaning "I am because you are") because she spoke in representation of all of our voices.
The thing I am most thankful for is that I had the honor and privilege to witness and participate in all of this with my beloved mother, every step of the way. While my father could not attend due to health challenges, sharing footage of events with him added to our ongoing conversations about family ancestry and healing.These are unforgettable and treasured memories.
Members of the Ngäbe-Buglé community in Panama.