Alabama State University alumnus Michael Jackson is among the founders of the Montgomery "Maafa" Commemoration that was held on July 13 at Montgomery's Riverfront Park, located alongside the Alabama River.  The event paid homage to enslaved African Americans brought westward by way of the transatlantic slave trade for hundreds of years. 

 

Jackson, a 2006 ASU graduate, shared that the name of the event, "Maafa," (pronounced "Mah-ah-fa") is a Kiswahili word that means “a great calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy or terrible occurrence.”

 

"We have held this event for the past 13-years because we feel it is important to never forget that numbers greater than 100 million enslaved Africans lost their lives during a period of history known as the 'Middle Passage' and never forget those brought here following the voyage from Africa who were enslaved for over 400 years," Jackson said. "The term 'Maafa' was introduced into scholarship by Dr. Marimba Ani in her book, 'Let The Circle Be Unbroken' which was about  her analysis of the Middle Passage." 

 

He added "Other alternative terms used by scholars of this horrific time for our community includes 'The African Holocaust,’ ‘Holocaust of Enslavement’ or ‘Black Holocaust,' all of which collectively describe the history, effects, and legacy of various atrocities perpetrated on enslaved African people brought against their will to America."

 

The free event, which was open to the public, drew a large number of attendees who witnessed such ceremonial activities as African drumming, candle lighting, and other Afro-cultural demonstrations.

 

ORIGINS OF THE EVENT

 

Jackson shared the origins of the event coincide with the significant American historical occurrence that took place in July 1860 when the last known slave ship (The Clotilde) docked in Mobile Bay, Alabama with a cargo of enslaved men and women from West Africa. Many of these enslaved people were placed in housing just north of the bay in a town now called "Africatown, Ala." a community where many of their descendants still live. He gave credit to ASU professor, Dr. Corrie Muhammad, and lay historian, Theodore Lush, for joining others who make the annual Montgomery event meaningful and impactful.

 

"The creation of our local commemoration is the product of many individuals who care greatly about why we should never forget the events surrounding the origins and history of Africans forcefully brought into the Americas," Jackson explained. "The seeds developed by the D.I.O.P (Dedicated Intellectual Our People) -- a Black think tank -- offers our community a safe space to discuss all things concerning Black people and is among the catalyst for our annual event," Jackson concluded. 

 

For more information on the event: contact Jackson at: mijackson22@gmail.com and/or follow his organization on Instagram at "MontgomeryMaafa2012."