Remembering the Forgotten "Colony Builders"

Photos from African Burial Ground National Museum: (left) man known as Burial 323 found without a coffin--skull had been sawed off after death for an autopsy or medical training and can be seen resting in arms, (bottom right) images of excavations revealing graves, (top right) first published map that indicated "Negros Buriel Ground" in 1754

Development of the colonies largely depended upon slave labor, yet those "colony builders" go largely unnamed in history. While visiting the African Burial Ground National Monument and Museum, I connected to the importance and purpose of knowing how history relates to modern day. In middle school, it can be difficult to guide learners to see abstract connections between the past and present. The Burial Ground is such an eerie reminder of how history is connected to modern day in a very literal sense, that I believe would resonate well with middle school students. I get goosebumps thinking about how Lower Manhattan is built on a mass, unmarked grave of 15,000 free and enslaved African Americans and that daily routines (i.e. running errands, going to work, tour groups, etc.) go on in the area with no indication of such a tragedy until the construction of the monument.

Source: African Burial Ground Monument

I have found that learner engagement is very easy when it comes to the issue of slavery. Learners are very hungry for information on this topic. Therefore, I thought the African Burial Ground would be of good use at the beginning of the school year to get students engaged early on in the class to see how history can directly impact modern day and exercise their critical thinking skills. Brad Stamer and I discussed possible lesson plans as we looked at the monument. Imagining that the burial ground was just discovered, the class could debate several issues, from what to do with the remains that were dug up, to why it is important to remember this part of our history. We brainstormed an idea that I am particularly fond of, in which learners could work in big or small groups to develop a plan for a monument as if the burial ground had just been discovered. Learners would have to determine a "mission statement" of the memorial (why it is imperative that a monument be erected for the burial ground) and develop a sketch of the monument with an explanation of the symbolism involved. Depending on the ability level, I can showed what the actual monument looks like prior to giving the assignment, or after the assignment so learners can compared their ideas to the actual thing. This activity would be first-hand experience for learners to realize the importance of history, the importance of monuments, build teamwork, justify their decisions, and be creative.

A handful of the symbols used in the African Burial Ground Monument. Clockwise from top left: wisdom and prudence,  guardian of crossroads, endurance, and understanding.