We continue our Making History series by focusing on some of the “unsung” Sheroes of Afrika UK in light of an upcoming invite only event, A Celebration Of 3 Elder Sister Activists. The event will highlight the work of three warrior queens, all now in their 80s Mama Lindiwe Tsele, Mama Gerlin Bean and Mama Dahlia Sterling. The event is intentionally at a youth centre to attract the interest of young people to connect them these hitherto unheralded aspects of our history. This is in keeping with the original intention of ‘Black History Month’ – from Carter G Woodson to Akyaaba Addai-Sebo to bring history to the masses and inspire our young people. (1)
One of the event organisers, who herself has an unparalleled record of activism in the community is Queen Mama Nzingha Assata, who was the subject of a tribute event arranged by Jan Jak Desalin, Way Wive Wordz and Pan-Afrikan Society Community Forum for her 70th Earth Strong earlier this year. (2) For some it is a welcome development for events to take place honouring community Elders while they are still with us rather than lamenting our loss after they’ve passed. In this vein the PASCF also organised a 90th Earth Strong event for activist and publishing legend Baba Eric Huntley in September 2019. That event overflowed with effusive tributes that prompted Baba Eric’s laconic yet profound response: “Don’t drop the baton!! In May the year before, there was an 80th Earth Strong event for legendary Elder Rev. Baba Hewie Andrew. Perhaps such events can go some way to documenting concealed chapters of our grassroots history, too much of which is characterised by the notion that if weren’t there, you won’t know.
It is certainly hoped that young people attend the event where the Warrior Mamas will be presented with flowers and a GACuk Elders mug, and that they can make use of the accounts they will hear to encourage them into a life of activism.
(1) Jacqueline Goggin (1993) Carter G Woodson: A Life In Black History. Louisiana State University Press. p. 84. Woodson, who established Negro History Week in February 1926, saw it as vehicle to “increase awareness of, and interest in black history among the black masses,” with the hope that this would develop into support for Black organizations.; Similarly, Black History Month in the UK urged the “promoting positive public images and an understanding of Afrikans and people of Afrikan descent and encourage the positive teaching and development of their history, culture and struggles” and to “support Afrikan organisations and liberation movements based in London”. Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and Ansel Wong (Eds) (1988) Our Story – A Handbook of African History and Contemporary Issues. London Strategic Poverty Unit p. 7-8; p. 319
(2) PASCF (09/04/21) Honour Sistah Nzingha Assata @ 70! A Revolutionary Sacred Warrior Activist!. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/honour-sistah-nzingha-assata-70-a-revolutionary-sacred-warrior-activist-tickets-148484789001
we ask the question:
Making History Pt. 2: Herstory, do we know enough?
1) What do you know about the work of Mamas Lindiwe Tsele, Gerlin Bean and Dahlia Sterling?
2) How important is it to have these types of tribute event when the recipients are still with us?
3) Is there a disparity about what we know about men and women activists?
4) What’s the best way to transmit this history to younger generations?
Our special Guest:
Queen Mama Nzingha Assata: is Grandmother, Mother Daughter, Sister, Pan-African and Garveyite organiser if international renown. She is currently a member of GACuk (Global Afrikan Congress uk); committee member of Friends of Black Cultural Archives. Queen Mama has been active in founding or organising within a range of organisations including: The Black Unity & Freedom Party, The Universal Afrikan People’s Development Association, The Black Action, The Harriet Tubman Sisters, Moyo Wa Taifa Pan-Afrikan Women’s Network and Alliance of Afrikan Women.
Queen Mama Nzingha has a BA (Hons) RGN, RHV, LPE. Health professional and is a fundraiser for the Association of Black Social Workers & Allied Professionals. She is author of Women in the Garvey Movement book and In Praise of our Ancestors.