Sankofa, go back and get it. This West African symbol, encourages people to reflect upon their past and bring back knowledge or wisdom to their future.
We gathered in Detroit, Michigan to exchange ideas, embody a movement, and show each other and the rest of the country that another United States is possible.
A child of the 1980s, subdivisions, and shopping malls, to me, Detroit was a “city of the past.” Home to the auto industry, part of the rust belt, and labor movements. Everything I knew about Detroit I learned in middle school history class. The Detroit of my more recent memory was a sad city of empty buildings and unemployment, government scandals and closing schools. After being fortunate enough to attend the USSF 2010, I now know Detroit a little differently.
Detroit sang me a love song. The city hosted us graciously, the people were friendly, strong and full of hope. Detroit plays an important role in the history of the United States, but more importantly, Detroit may hold the key to our future. I hope that other USSF participants were able to soak in some of the knowledge, culture, and love that I found in Detroit and that, like me, they brought it back with them. Detroit’s city motto is, “Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus.” Translated it means, “We Hope for Better Things; It Shall Rise from the Ash.”
Sankofa, go back and get it. Thank you Detroit.
