250 Years of Multi-Generational Life Stories in the United States

by Angelique Walker-Smith

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.” Deuteronomy 32:7. 

This verse is an introduction to the “Song of Moses” that also serves as an invitation for us to always remember days past, present, and future. This reminds me of Sankofa, the West African concept that it is necessary to look back at the past in order to understand and move forward into the future. 

In this text, the Israelites stand on the edge of entering the Promised Land. Moses first points to the importance of history/herstory, recalling past generations and reminding God’s people of His deeds. Looking back is meant to prevent people from repeating the mistakes of their ancestors. Moses then insists on respect for elders—highlighting the value of oral tradition and the responsibility of the older generation to pass down spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and the story of God’s covenant to the youth. 

Last month, the commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation—and the delayed announcement of that proclamation, called Juneteenth—invited us to consider and reconsider the focus of Moses’ two main points regarding the stories and ancestors of people of Africa and African descent. We are reminded that 250 years ago, at the founding of the United States, people of African descent were enslaved. It wasn’t until just over one hundred years ago that Black people in the United States could not legally vote, marry, read, or own land or property. Juneteenth reminds us that despite the brutal period of enslavement in the United States and elsewhere, persistent resistance and advocacy for hope and repair was always in the minds and actions of the elders.

Today, the key to advancing a vision of a world without injuries and laments from the past depends upon telling all our histories/herstories and showing respect for our elders and ancestors. Remember that when the children of Israel were enslaved, hope and advocacy for repair were required to enter a renewed promised land.

Indeed, the 250 years of the formal origin of the United States poses the question of what is needed now to go forward to a promise land for and with all of us? Moses’ song teaches us that all people need to share their tapestry of stories—not to keep them within their homogeneous groups but to share them with the many distinct groups within the nation. The democratic experiment of United States is meant to be structured as a safe and inviting space for all—when groups agree or do not agree—with civility and regard for one another. High regard for those who have lived long lives as well as for those who are young indicates how we regard all life. 

This is why we must always advocate for good and nutritional food for and with all as we envision a future promised land—informed by our past, with respect for the experience of our elders. 

Won’t you be a part of our advocacy agenda, which promotes this mission of life and memory? Go to bread.org to learn more.