Baba Bullard on Ancestors Day.
What is an ancestor? In the Afrikan tradition an ancestor is someone who not only made their transition from the living world into the sacred world, but someone who made the world they lived in sacred with their contributions. In the Afrikan tradition an ancestor is someone who gave meaning to living through their gifts, talents and contributions into the family, village, society and living world. Someone who was able to adjust to all the great pressures in life and still produce great things. Someone who accomplished impressive achievements with the life that they were given. Someone who stood up and stepped up when others stooped low and sat down. Someone who was willing to fight for the things that they believed and sacrifice if necessary their life, but not their beliefs. Someone who had vision when others closed their eyes in fear. Someone who spoke truth to power and accepted the consequences for their bold actions. Someone who made history, rather then turn their back to moments in history. Someone who faced death with a smile and an understanding that their life work had now been completed. Someone who without hesitation walked into the darkness of the unknown. Someone who at the darkest hour helped others to see the light with their life’s actions. Someone who never gave up, who never gave in, and who never gave away the gifts of our collective struggle. Someone who lived a life with a sense of purpose and knew the shortness of living, in fulfilling their life destiny. Someone who was humble with their wisdom, a servant to the good of humanity, a protector for justice and a person at peace, a tireless worker who worked with courageous consciousness, a good heart and a good name. Someone whose name though not always spoken will never be forgotten in memory and whose works are archived for eternity. In the Afrikan tradition we acknowledge the life and the legacy of our ancestors, so that the circle of life will never be breached or broken. Realizing and recognizing that we are in fact the living representation of our ancestors. So on Ancestors Day, we boldly proclaim and remember that anything that our ancestors were able to achieve, we in fact can achieve also. We are biologically, physiologically, energetically and genetically the sum total of our ancestors’ existence. Our ancestors made the sacrifices and lived their lives without looking back to ask permission. They understood it was their time and turn to do what they did. It is now our time to become the new leaders of this generation. Just as our ancestors understood their time, birthright, ancestry, moment, space and opportunities, we must accept that this is our time. If we turn our backs to our calling, we may forever miss this opportunity. We are the ones that have been called forth to finish the work that was waiting to be completed. Our ancestor are watching and waiting. I am striving to do my part. I understand why I am here. We are collectively striving together to do our part. We understand that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and what is at stake. The critical question is, “Are you ready?” “Do you understand?” The ancestors are watching and waiting! What will you say to them? What will be your answer? Are you going to be a history maker or a history taker? The choice is yours. What will you do?
