By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Borough President
Eric L. Adams recently hosted
“400 Years of Fortitude,” a ceremony
commemorating the anniversary
of the first enslaved Africans’
arrival in Virginia in 1619.
The event paid tribute through
art, artifacts, dance, drums,
fashion, songs It also featured
a keynote address from Dionne
Bennett, assistant professor of
African American Studies at City
Tech, City University of New York
(CUNY), and an awards ceremony
for notable attendees.
At the event, Adams officially
announced a trip he is taking
later this month to Gorée Island,
a district of the capital city of
Dakar in Senegal and an important
site in the history of the
Atlantic Slave Trade.
He also declared a sister city
agreement with the island,
“which signifies a long-term
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (in white outfi t)
with celebrants. Brooklyn BP’s Offi ce / Erica Krodman
partnership between two communities
Caribbean Life, N 28 ovember 15-21, 2019
in two countries that
touches on cultural exchange,
economic development and other
important areas,” Adams said.
In anticipation of his trip, he
presented a “Key to the Borough,”
symbolizing the opening
of the “Door of No Return,” a
memorial to those who were sold
into slavery.
According to a New York
City Department of City Planning
(DCP) 2013 report, Africans
make up about 4 percent of the
city’s foreign-born population, a
growing presence among recent
arrivals to the five boroughs.
“Four hundred years ago, a
ship of African slaves on these
shores, condemned to a life of
bondage in an unfamiliar country,”
Adams said. “Their arrival
changed the course of history,
launching a centuries-long
struggle for freedom and equality
that in many ways continues
to this day.
“We were so proud to host an
event marking this grim milestone,
while also celebrating the
many contributions African-
Americans have made and continue
to make to our borough
and city,” he added.
“My trip to Gorée Island later
this month will be a recognition
of the solemn history of the slave
trade from one of the places it
originated.
Thousands of Haitians
seek medical help
from US Navy ship
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti
(AP) — Thousands of Haitians
with problems including
diabetes and bullet injuries
are hoping to be treated
aboard the USNS Comfort,
which docked in Port-au-
Prince this week for its last
stop of a five-month medical
mission.
The visit of the U.S. Navy
hospital ship comes as violent
demonstrations and street
barricades have led several
hospitals across the country
to run out of medical supplies.
Some have temporarily
closed as protesters keep
demanding the president’s
resignation.
Among those waiting to be
seen on Friday was Miga Alfred,
whose 3-month-old daughter
has hydrocephaly. The two live
in the town of Jacmel and had
been traveling since 4 am.
More than 900 personnel
were providing care aboard the
ship and at a Haitian Coast
Guard base.
Adams
hosts ‘400
Years of
Fortitude’
Fishermen work as U.S. Navy’s hospital ship USNS Comfort
is anchored off Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Nov. 8,
2019. Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery
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