Most people don't fully understand what was actually lost during the Middle Passage. It wasn't just people suddenly becoming slaves, but human beings with values, ethics, and cultures. It's not just about making the transition to a western world that doesn't accept you as a person, it was about being able to hold on to the customs and traditions. According to Dr. Carr, we have done a fairly decent job of keeping our African ways in a more modern form.
I like how Dr. Beatty mentioned the feeling of emptiness that African Americans supposedlly had when they came here. It is amazing that they were full all along, full of rich culture and pride despite being surpressed by the white man.
Like in recent lectures, Dr. Beatty emphasizes how today's classrooms should have more emphasis on African History before the Middle Passage. I applaud Dr. Carr's efforts in Philadelphia and feel that the African American student would be elated to know their past and African beauty at its finest.
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