“History does not refer merely or even principally to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, that we are unconsciously controlled by it, and that history is literally present in everything we do.” – James Baldwin, Dedicated Citizen and Novelist/Playwright/Cultural Critic
April 2013 marked the culmination of 10 years of research, writing, publishing and programming on the Bronx River’s African American heritage. Here is a list of blogs, videos and more from that journey and related work. Enjoy!
Bronx River Sankofa power point tour with 100 annotated pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.365973873494858.85909.142834315808816&type=3
NYC as free open air museum 24/7 Interview (2/15/13):
http://www.bronxnet.org/tv/viewvideo/2408/open–featured-interviews/morgan-powell-of-bronx-river-sankofa
Extra! Extra! Read all about it:
http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120217/throgs-neck-country-club/african-americans-have-deep-roots-along-bronx-river-historian-says
Interview video (books): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RbkkOIoWv8
Interview video (architecture & public art):
http://www.bronxnet.org/open-vidoes/featured-interviews/viewvideo/1754/open–featured-interviews/bronx-river-sankofa-on-open
Video from the inaugural walk on March 12, 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMMoja-havg
Captioned still pictures from the inaugural tour taken by Chuck Vasser are at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/czv/sets/72157626154477125/
Complete virtual tour of March 2011 North Bronx route courtesy of Trent Love:
http://www.mapquest.com/?version=1.0&hk=10-9HpdAxBI
Complete video tour of April 2012 Central Bronx route courtesy of Bronxnet TV: http://www.bronxnet.org/tv/viewvideo/1993/bronx-currents/bronx-currents–bronx-tour-2012
3 blog posts on the Bronx River’s social history:
a) The first park to be built on the Bronx River south of the Bronx Zoo after earth day!
http://www.outdoorafro.com/2012/09/aint-nothin-new-river-rehab-began-in-1974/
b) Bronx River Hike logs with travel and snacking tips to the origins of the river.
http://www.outdoorafro.com/2012/09/day-tripping-what-you-can-discover-on-the-bronx-river-and-beyond/
c) Almost 400 years of NYC African American history in a Bronx River park!
http://www.outdoorafro.com/2012/09/almost-400-years-of-black-history-in-a-new-york-city-park/
On ethnicity and open space: http://thebronxfreepress.com/archives/2011/1109/feature_story_3.html
The word Sankofa comes from the Akan language of Ghana that translates in English to “go back and get it.” Many groups of African descent use this word and symbol to describe the journey of drawing strength and wisdom from the past in order to move forward.
NEW – Morgan Powell Architecture Tour posted10/21/15 on Flickr
This list is a Memorial to Morgan Powell. It is a Work In Progress. It will change and, with your help, get better. If you have a photo, link, info or anecdote you would like to add about our dear friend Morgan, please send it along. Thank you.
Filed under: African-American, Blacks, Bronx River Sankofa, Community Green, Environment, Morgan Powell, African-American, Blacks, Bronx River, Bronx River Sankofa, environment, Morgan Powell