New 10-Day Holiday for Harriet Tubman starts March 1st
by Lorraine Brown
Harriet Tubman, best known for her work as an abolitionist who freed thousands of slaves through the Underground Railroad, will be celebrated and commemorated for ten days this Sunday. As part of the celebration of her life and legacy (March, 1822 - March 10, 1913), a national holiday has been created to remember the sacrifices, struggles and strength of Black people enslaved in America. The holiday, 'Kumi Siku Kikumbuko' (Swahili for 'Ten day Remembrance,' comes on the heels of Black History Month. Kumi Siku Kikumbuko ('Kumi Siku' for short) adds ten days to remembrance and teaching, particularly the atrocities and after-effects of slavery.
Families will celebrate by teaching their child ten reasons why slavery should never be forgotten. Families are asked to teach at least one reason for each of the ten days. Jillian Winn, a mother in Quincy, Massachusetts is excited to participate and will have her son load a video online explaining why he will never forget. "Since they won't teach Black history in school, I feel it's very important to incorporate it into my son's education on my own," said Ms. Winn.
The holiday's co-creator, the Universal Zulu Nation has worked closely with Minister of Information, Quadeer "M.C. Spice" Shakur and Zulu Nation founding members Mickey "Mick Benzo" Bentson and Amad Henderson to structure the holiday. During Black History Month on their Sirius XM radio show, Afrika Bambaata and Mick Benzo highlighted important moments in Black history, and taught about the contributions of Blacks in America. After agreeing that more should be done to remember the ancestors of slaves, and to educate the youth about slavery, Shakur drafted the template for Kumi Siku and the four decided that Harriet Tubman's legacy should be honored along with the Ten Days of Remembrance.
"Because women experienced more than we could imagine, I decided it was best to honor the contributions of Harriet Tubman. Could you imagine being pregnant, tied to a post, and your child cut out of your stomach in front of your entire family? While your husband stood by powerless? These are the reasons why a woman was chosen to be honored. Her sacrifice. Her struggle. Her strength. It lifted our men up for more than 400 years here in America," added Shakur.
Mick Benzo responded: "We will never forget slavery. This is very important to our people and our Culture. Bambaataa has always taught us that Education/Knowledge is the 5th and most important element of Hiphop Culture. It's not always about who's rapping this, or who's deejaying that, or graffiti or break-dancing. The one thing that we should all remember is that knowledge is the key to everything. I like this a lot and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Amad Henderson, who is usually low-key, said: "This is perfect timing for so much more. Keep your eyes and ears open for a Cultural revolution within and outside of the Zulu Nation."
By this time next year, the founding members of the holiday hope to have curriculum in schools to educate children on the truths of slavery and its effects. "The holiday is the beginning. We have years to go. But it's a painful truth that America must know, and it shouldn't have to be in a Hollywood format. This is our truth and reality that needs to be told. And told often," Shakur said.
To participate in the new ten-day holiday, we urge you to check out the Facebook group page below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KumiSikuKikumbuko/
Also, please feel free to join their events page and pass it on.
https://www.facebook.com/events/807459402671406
BlackBerry Soul Radio will be honoring Harriet Tubman for the ten days with vignettes every hour at 50 past the hour. Listen with your desktop, handheld device and phone at: http://tunein.com/radio/BlackBerry-Soul-Radio-s163913/
#NeverForgetSlavery
Harriet Tubman Slavery in America a woman named moses never forget zulu nation quadeer shakur m.c. spice
Families will celebrate by teaching their child ten reasons why slavery should never be forgotten. Families are asked to teach at least one reason for each of the ten days. Jillian Winn, a mother in Quincy, Massachusetts is excited to participate and will have her son load a video online explaining why he will never forget. "Since they won't teach Black history in school, I feel it's very important to incorporate it into my son's education on my own," said Ms. Winn.
The holiday's co-creator, the Universal Zulu Nation has worked closely with Minister of Information, Quadeer "M.C. Spice" Shakur and Zulu Nation founding members Mickey "Mick Benzo" Bentson and Amad Henderson to structure the holiday. During Black History Month on their Sirius XM radio show, Afrika Bambaata and Mick Benzo highlighted important moments in Black history, and taught about the contributions of Blacks in America. After agreeing that more should be done to remember the ancestors of slaves, and to educate the youth about slavery, Shakur drafted the template for Kumi Siku and the four decided that Harriet Tubman's legacy should be honored along with the Ten Days of Remembrance.
"Because women experienced more than we could imagine, I decided it was best to honor the contributions of Harriet Tubman. Could you imagine being pregnant, tied to a post, and your child cut out of your stomach in front of your entire family? While your husband stood by powerless? These are the reasons why a woman was chosen to be honored. Her sacrifice. Her struggle. Her strength. It lifted our men up for more than 400 years here in America," added Shakur.
Mick Benzo responded: "We will never forget slavery. This is very important to our people and our Culture. Bambaataa has always taught us that Education/Knowledge is the 5th and most important element of Hiphop Culture. It's not always about who's rapping this, or who's deejaying that, or graffiti or break-dancing. The one thing that we should all remember is that knowledge is the key to everything. I like this a lot and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Amad Henderson, who is usually low-key, said: "This is perfect timing for so much more. Keep your eyes and ears open for a Cultural revolution within and outside of the Zulu Nation."
By this time next year, the founding members of the holiday hope to have curriculum in schools to educate children on the truths of slavery and its effects. "The holiday is the beginning. We have years to go. But it's a painful truth that America must know, and it shouldn't have to be in a Hollywood format. This is our truth and reality that needs to be told. And told often," Shakur said.
To participate in the new ten-day holiday, we urge you to check out the Facebook group page below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KumiSikuKikumbuko/
Also, please feel free to join their events page and pass it on.
https://www.facebook.com/events/807459402671406
BlackBerry Soul Radio will be honoring Harriet Tubman for the ten days with vignettes every hour at 50 past the hour. Listen with your desktop, handheld device and phone at: http://tunein.com/radio/BlackBerry-Soul-Radio-s163913/
#NeverForgetSlavery
Harriet Tubman Slavery in America a woman named moses never forget zulu nation quadeer shakur m.c. spice
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