MY TRANSFORMATION AS EXPERIENCED THROUGH THE INTERFAITH PILGRIMAGE OF THE MIDDLE PASSAGE

1. MY TRANSFORMATION AS EXPERIENCED THROUGHTHE INTERFAITH PILGRIMAGEOF THEMIDDLE PASSAGE By Renay A. Mercer

2. Sister Clare Carter and Ingrid Askew The Founders of The Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage

3. The Vision • Nipponzan Myohojiis a Buddhist order that walks to heal the world’s injustices through walking pilgrimages. • Sister Clare was on a Pilgrimage from Auschwitz to Hiroshima when she had a vision awakening her to the healing that still needed to happen in her own country, the U.S.A. • When she returned from that Pilgrimage, she talked with her friend, Ingrid Askew about doing a Pilgrimage from Africa to the U.S.A. repeating the journey of the Middle Passage. • Ingrid suggested that no, the pilgrimage should happen in reverse from the U.S.A. to Africa in order to facilitate the necessary healing. • They began planning in 1995 and the walking portion began in 1998. “Nyame dua” an altar to the sky God

4. The pilgrimage was originally to end on May 31, 1999. However, as all things happen in God’s time, the REAL end date was June 12, 1999. " If we do not acknowledge our history we cannot learn from it. The Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage is a remarkable opportunity to Confront the reality of the horrors of slavery both in context of the times when slavery was common practice, and in examining our attitudes and prejudices in present day." -The Most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu “Nsoroma” a child of the heavens A child of the Supremem Being I do not depend on myself. My illumination is only a reflection of His.

5. THE PURPOSES OF THE INTERFAITH PILGRIMAGE OF THE MIDDLE PASSAGE MAY 30, 1998 - JUNE 12, 1999 LEVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS Through CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

6. 1) To offer prayers for the spirits of people of African descent who have gone before and to honor both and their descendents who have suffered so much hatred and injustice at the hand of the white population, realizing that the spirits of the oppressors are also in need of our prayers.

7. 2) To open the way for all whose lives have been affected by this most egregious history, to engage with it and especially to give an opportunity to people of European descent to take responsibility and to express repentance on behalf of the peoples and the civilizations of the West. The expression of repentance is a very necessary and therapeutic step for human beings, and, in the case of the deeply-embedded history of racism especially in the U.S., it can help break the pattern of defensiveness, denial and fear which form the unconscious underpinnings of a society still gripped by racism.

8. 3) To reverse historical patterns by moving eastward to Africa, this "giving back" the honor and respect pillaged from Africa along with its people and natural resources. To show gratitude and respect for the greatness of this continent with its diverse peoples and regions and to express our belief in its regeneration after centuries of colonial depredations.

9. 4) To offer multifaceted educational opportunities on the institution of slavery to participants of the walk, the organizing volunteers, and the community at large, in order to create a context for the current state of global communities in an honest history.

10. 5) To transform the thinking that spawned racism, namely the appetite for material power and luxury in Western nations, and the consequent reduction of human beings to the status of objects to be bought, sold, easily demeaned and killed for profit, denying the profound and noble spiritual nature of all people. This materially-based thinking continues today in domestic and international policies that relegate millions-mainly people of color-to poverty, even in wealthy countries like the U.S. Hard pressed by these policies, too many are forced to use desperate means to survive, while the life-giving spiritual foundation of human civilization, cultivated from ancient times, is furthered destroyed. To find our way for the next century, we must affirm and respect the precious spiritual nature of all people, the true source of moral power transform our violent, materially-based civilization.

11. "Civilization has nothing to do with having electric lights, airplanes, or manufacturing atomic bombs. It has nothing to do with killing human beings, destroying things or waging war. Civilization is to hold one another in mutual affection and respect. What constitutes its foundation is not the establishment of a judicial system but religious faith that seeks gentleness, peace, simplicity and uprightness." - Most Ven. Nichidatse Fujii (1885-1985) Founder, Preceptor Nippozan Myhoji Buddist Order

12. 1997-1998 I worked at Training for Change in Philadelphia, PA as an intern. While there, a friend and co-worker, Toby Perloff, went to a Joanna Macydeep ecology workshop in Massachusetts. When he returned, he told me of this incredible journey he had heard of . The journey would begin in May 1998 and the people planned to retrace the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in reverse, reclaiming and giving honor and respect to the African ancestors that died throughout the Middle Passage and working to healing the racism that is still perpetuated today. I was immediately moved and knew that I had to participate; however, I had self doubts. I am fat. I don’t have the money. I shared my fears with my friend, Toby, and he helped me to acknowledge them as mere excuses. From that moment on I began taking the steps in order to participate in my pilgrimage. I did not want to have any regrets as an elder, so I wrote a letter requesting sponsorship and I sent it out in the hundreds. Why me? “Gye Nyame” God is in control of everyone and everything

13. While I did not raise the recommended amount of money, I stepped out in faith, trusting God’s plan for me to go on this journey. • The following slides represent a small part of the African portion of the journey that lasted twelve and one-half months from May 1998 - June 1999. “Sankofa” Go Back and Fetch It

14. This map represents the journey we took.

15. A Walker’s Bedroom Suite

16. A market in Banjul, The Gambia.

17. Slave Auction notices in Juffere Village, The Gambia.

18. The pilgrimage procession around Goree Island, Senegal.

19. The “Door of No Return” in the Slave House. Goree Island, Senegal, West Africa

20. A Pilgrim prays during our cleansing ceremony. Goree Island, Senegal, West Africa

21. Neighborhood Children Kofikro Village, Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa

22. Visit with a King Ghana, West Africa

23. Looking out from where the ancestors departed from. Benin, West Africa

24. I share this story because of the tremendous affect it had on my life. I connected with my African heritage emotionally and physically. I learned that When I follow God’s Will for my life things often have twists and turns, but everything works out for the best. I wrote several letters requesting sponsorship for my journey, but I never earned the recommended amount. However, I stepped out on faith and I was able to travel even farther than I had originally planned. I learned that there is always enough for everyone. Some people had more money than others and some people had no money at all. However, we pulled all our money and resources together and everyone was able to go as far as they wanted and returned home safely. This journey continues within all of us. The Healing Must Always Continue. Conclusion? “Bi-nka-bi” Bite Not One Another Symbol of Unity

25. Bishop Tutu’s Address The U.S.A. Journey Photographs Letters on the Journey A Glimpse into My Experience Pilgrim Pages and News Articles Pilgrimage Links “Hye wo nyhe” the one who burns you be not burned Symbol of Forgiveness