I grew up during a time when Black people were called Colored and Negro but what I remember most is how we really loved each other like extended family living close to each other in neighborhoods and communities that were interconnected. There were businesses owned by African American families, Irish families, German families, Italian families, Dutch families, so we did not go too far outside of our neighborhood for what we needed.There were many immigrant families living together and we all had the same challenges in our lives around survival. My community felt a web of love and connectedness. Our families worked together in harmony to support each other. I was not taught to make a distinction of skin color, mostly different languages and cultural practices within each family.As we look back at the history of African Americans, in the oral tradition of story telling from the Ashanti of West Africa the “Anansi the Spider” tales demonstrate the interconnectedness of the family as a web. In the story, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey, much like the journey of life for most families facing social-economic struggles, crowded living conditions and and health issues.Anansi was threatened by Fish and Falcon, representing the challenges of his journey and he is saved from terrible fate by his sons. The story is about family connection, forgiveness and love and demonstrates the strength of relationship in the face of danger.My community was made of women and men taking care of their families and each other in the extended community. Women expressed their support by preparing food for families when some was ill or by taking food to a family grieving the loss of a loved one. Even if they could barely afford to feed their own family, they would still make the sacrifice.Children played together in each others yards and ran free up and down their block. Most of us may have been poor, but we were rich in love, connection and caring.I remember crisp white sheets hanging from the clothes lines, children laughing and running and the smell of a home cooked meal. Read moreOmitunde, Publisher of African American Family ConnectionAn online magazine about African American Family values and community.Visit AAFC for the latest issue each month and a copy of "The Ripple Effect".http://www.africanamericanfamilyconnection.com
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