African Burial Ground National Monument, New York, NY, 23 June 2009

African Burial Ground National Monument, New York, NY, is located among giant government buildings housing federal and state courts, FBI, Homeland Security, GSA and a host of other agencies. Across the street the FBI holds suspected terrorists in the basement of the Jacob Javits Federal Building.

The burial grounds were discovered during demolition for other authoritarian structures, a battle was waged to preserve the site and was won. The empty site was fenced for several years while archeological investigations were conducted. A design competition was held for the park structure and its construction was completed in 2008.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• African
• Burial
• Ground
• National
• Monument:
• subdued
• freedom
• architecture
• battling
• ostentatious
• authoritarian
• behemoths.

[cyberian75x]

The African Burial Ground

By Phyllis C. Murray

Mark the scene of devastation,

In our history borne from dust.

Caught we are in old history lessons,

Half truths: webs of deceit.

Ancient warriors, we now enfold you,

Etched into our lives at last,

Lead us into the future,

Mindful of your tortured past.

[cyberian75x]

The Burial Ground

By Phyllis C. Murray

Be ever mindful of work before us,

Learn from remnant of the past,

Ask the questions death proposes,

Keep vigilant watch over ancestors cast.

Ever mindful of work before us,

Yet another tomb unearthed.

.