Wisdom From our Elders: Reconnecting with Culture is an Act of Resistance for the Black Community

 As the founder and executive director of the Cultural Wellness Center, Elder Atum Azzahir embodies the strength of a community that refuses to be defined by the limitations imposed upon it. Her journey is a testament to the power of reconnecting with our cultural roots as an act of resistance—a call to action that resonates deeply within the Black community.

In a world where the narratives of Black people have often been shaped by systemic oppression and erasure, Elder Atum Azzahir stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Her recent reflections highlight a pivotal moment in her life, marked by her son’s organ transplant. This personal experience has not only deepened her gratitude but also reinforced her commitment to the work that lies ahead.

"On the one hand, it's amazing," says Elder Atum. "On the other hand, there is pressure to do the work that we were called to do. 
This is a time for everything, including corrective actions in our lives. It also includes being grateful and giving thanks constantly."

Cultural Memory and Historical Context

Elder Atum emphasizes that we must confront the legacy of slavery and its lingering effects on contemporary Black identity. “We cannot think about thinking if we don't remember,” she says. 

"We've had a period of cultural amnesia. We've been able to pretend that history had not happened, or we've been able to say, 'Let's move on because it happened, it's done, it's over. Let's just get on with it.'” 

By acknowledging our history, we empower ourselves to reclaim our narratives and assert our voices in a world that often seeks to silence us.

Artistic Expression as Resistance

From the powerful words of Anna Julia Cooper in "A Voice From The South" to the contemporary insights of Ta-Nehisi Coates, the arts serve as a vital means of communication and empowerment.

Elder Atum has deep appreciation for writers and artists. “There is an amazing amount of art right now. There is poetry and artistic expression everywhere you go.”

This flourishing creativity, says Elder Atum, is indicative of a community that refuses to be confined by societal limitations. It is a testament to the resilience of the Black spirit, capable of transforming pain into beauty.

Narrative Justice as a Movement

Elder Atum discussed the concept of narrative justice, likening it to Civil Rights movements, and stressed the importance of telling the true stories of Black experiences.

"It is absolutely essential, really and truly, for the healing of our people, and that's what Georgia Fort is doing in our community – putting in place, not an alternative narrative, but the truth narrative. This is what really happened. This is what's really going on. This is who was really there. This is what was really meant by what was said. She opens the door so people can see and know that what they saw, was really what happened."

On a larger scale, Elder Atum advocates for a collective effort to establish a narrative that reflects reality, rather than one defined by systemic biases.

“We are stepping up in a very powerful way,” she says, recognizing the growing number of scholars and artists who are publishing works that not only identify the problems but also propose solutions.

Erasure of Culture

The struggle for cultural recognition is not without its challenges. The erasure of our culture, where Black history is often limited to the narrative of slavery, neglects the rich cultural and historical contributions of Black people.

"In the story about our people, we stop at the point of the Atlantic Slave Trade. 
That is where we end and begin," says Elder Atum. "You start there, because we were taken from the land. 
And everything, supposedly, was stripped from us. I say supposedly because the erasure is like when you erase something on a paper – there is the imprint, in many cases, left. That beneath the surface power still exists beneath the erasure."

Elder Atum reminds us that we have a rich and diverse heritage that extends far beyond the horrors of slavery. She also notes that erasure is happening today, everytime a Black man is killed by police.

"In the ‘Say Their Name’ cemetery, people see the name and they think, 'The person who was there has died.' No one adds up the amount of potential that went with each person's murder.

How many years of life potential were lost? 
How much ingenuity, how much resiliency was lost with the murders? The potential is enormous, and in fact, uncountable."

Elder Atum’s work in George Floyd Square reflects a commitment to healing and honoring collective memory. Within community, Elder Atum has witnessed the debate of, "What makes a place sacred?"

"It's really layered, and some of the layers are the old layers that have come right up into the present that speaks to who we are, and in some cases, causing us to fight each other intellectually. Who's right and who's wrong? Who knows and who doesn't? Mr. Floyd's family members who are trying really hard to know what can be done to influence something that will give, not just the Square, but the world, some level of inspiration in the name of Mr. Floyd. 'Imagine that,' is what they're saying.

Intergenerational Dialogue

As we look to the future and work toward reconnecting with our culture, Elder Atum emphasizes the importance of intergenerational dialogue, pointing to this interview as an example.

“I think we’re at a good time because now, we have you all, and you now have those of us who are old enough to say, 'I’m going to say what I mean and mean what I say.'

Here we are in 2025, we get to be doing this together. You are young people who are not running away from elders, and I just think that in itself is powerful."

Reconnecting with our culture is not merely an act of nostalgia. Elder Atum teaches us that it's a powerful form of resistance – a collective effort to establish a narrative that reflects our reality which is vital for healing and empowerment.