We have inherited a fear of memories of slavery. It is as if to remember and acknowledge slavery would amount to our being consumed by it. As a matter of fact, in the popular black imagination, it is easier for us to construct ourselves as children of Africa, as the sons and daughters of kings and queens, and thereby ignore the Middle Passage and centuries of enforced servitude in the Americas. Although some of us might indeed be the descendants of African royalty, most of us are probably descendants of their subjects, the daughters and sons of African peasants or workers. . Angela Y. Davis
About This Quote

It is unfortunate that many African Americans are not proud of their African background. They are ashamed of the fact that they came to the U.S. as slaves because they believe that they are not the children of royalty. Instead, they become Americanized and forget their roots, their family history, and their heritage. These people are also reluctant to talk about slavery because it is painful for them to think about being taken from their land, stripped of their identity, and forced to work for no pay.

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