Chi-Urban Excursion

Today we began our adventures at the DuSable Museum of African American History.  At the museum you were able to see, hear and feel the pride that Chicago’s African American community has in their history, culture and people.
The DuSable Museum was started in the house of founder, Dr. Margaret Burroughs, in the hopes of preserving the experiences and achievements of people of African descent in America and especially in Chicago. The first exhibit Burroughs began was entitled, “Africa Speaks”. Formerly displayed in Burroughs living room, the exhibit highlights the differing art and artifacts from West, East, North and South Africa. Displaying everything from traditional beads and masks to chains captured slaves were imprisoned with on their journey to the Americas. Showing that despite the common misconception among the American public, Africa is full of a multitude of different cultures, histories, languages, and people. And despite a common skin color, and a common traumatic American history, African’s and African American’s are descended from a beautiful, multi-faceted history that has shaped them into the strong, preserving people they are today. 
This importance the African American community places on the connection to your ancestors and their history makes one think about their own past. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and being born with aboriginal Native Hawaiian blood I have experienced a different life, at least culturally, compared to many at GU. I can read, speak and understand much of the Hawaiian language. I can dance hula, I know the proper protocol and chants to ask enter to a sacred place, and to praise and thank the gods. Yet, despite all I claim to know about my culture, the DeSable Museum visit today has called this into question, it showed me how little I truly know about my people and their history. I don’t know the stories of those who sailed for months using only the stars for navigation to find the Hawaiian Islands, or the stories of those fought and died trying to save the Hawaiian Kingdom from illegal American overthrow. I don’t know the stories of my own people.
Following the museum tour, we took a tour of the south-side with Steve Saunders from Featherfist Agency. We ate lunch at one of Obama’s favorites, Valois Restaurant, and now we are on our way to the Christian Community Development Association followed by an awesome dinner and poetry at Soul Vegetarian.
A simply great way to end our visit in the Windy City!
 
Kahala