3) Freedom: The African Legacy in the Americas

WE HONOR OUR ANCESTORS
The history of the United States presented as a story of freedom and opportunity is promoted as a model for the world. We and our ancestors defined individual freedom, a core principle of the nation written about in the founding documents of the United States. The African legacy in the United States, being one of overcoming inhumanity and enslavement, has tested the lofty concepts of freedom and serves as the defining proof that makes it, human and civil rights real for every American man, woman and child.  

The American colonial revolution to escape the tyranny of the British, the leading power in the world at the time and the bounty of a culture of enslavement and systematic dehumanization of Africans established the United States. Africans along with the indigenous tribal nations of North America, were to be a human sacrifice to the new nation but the Civil War ended slavery and sends Africans into a new phase of their struggle to proof and define the realities of freedom and human rights for all Americans. This part of the the African legacy in the United States is essential to the founding principles of the country. Without the African experience and victories the concept of the United States would not be a reality.

The African legacy of defining freedom is obviously of paramount significance to the United States but Africans have also created and transformed culture in the United States into a unique and dynamic force attracting people from around the world. The language, music and cultural expression of the United States was and is given a unique voice and character by ingenuity, creativity and distinct culture of Africans in the Americas.

So with pride in our own selves individually and our own people collectively across the African diaspora, we honor our ancestors and their work, their wisdom, their instincts and culture, their accomplishments, the specific and significant contributions and leadership, known and unknown, they and we have provided  to the Americas and the world.  WE HONOR OUR ANCESTORS.