It's Still Good To Be Here

Monday, September 18, 2006

After spending the weekend in Natchitoches, Louisiana with "cousins" from all over the United States, I rejoiced in knowing that are all working on a common goal - to honor our ancestors by remembering them and in turn, to learn more about ourselves.

I think Natchitoches is a beautiful place. Ronnie and I dined on the Cane River, walking up and down the quaint street which is one of the oldest towns in Louisiana. Cajun waltzes drifted from the buildings and a horse drawn carriage carried passerby's down main street, not worried about mid-day traffic.

But the reason we were drawn to Natchitoches was the Redbone Heritage Conference which was a celebration within itself. Gathered together were descendents of families who have consistently been called called Redbones, Melungeons, isolates, Moors, mulattoes and probably a few things that I can't mention. Yet, the family members who gathered together, despite the regional diversity, despite their differences in religion, customs or philosophies, had one goal in common. That goal was to send a message that the different cultures and ethnicities that make up our country are beautiful. By embracing our multi-ethnic heritage, instead of allowing others to try to diminish our culture, we spread a powerful sentiment that "different" is beautiful also.

The history of our country is a quilt, a large work of art containing multitudes of peoples with their lives as the foundation of who we have become today. As any precious artifact, the fabric of our nation needs to be celebrated for its diversity.