Reading about our Ancestors who blazed a trail for us has always been very important to me. I always wanted to know where they had been, what have they experienced, how did their lives become shaped by the world around them.
On my trip to Ireland, Dublin and Belfast specifically, I couldn’t help but think of the travels of Frederick Douglass. He left America in 1845 to seek refuge from being hunted, captured, and returned to a life of slavery.
When he arrived in Ireland he said “Instead of the bright, blue sky of America, I am covered with the soft, grey fog of the Emerald Isle [Ireland]. I breathe, and lo! the chattel [slave] becomes a man. I gaze around in vain for one who will question my equal humanity, claim me as his slave, or offer me an insult. I employ a cab—I am seated beside white people—I reach the hotel—I enter the same door—I am shown into the same parlour—I dine at the same table—and no one is offended … I find myself regarded and treated at every turn with the kindness and deference paid to white people. When I go to church, I am met by no upturned nose and scornful lip to tell me, ‘We don’t allow niggers in here!”
This quote by Douglass was heavy and direct. It was honest and thought provoking. As I sit on the airplane writing this the thought crossed my mind, will Zaire and I feel how Douglass felt when we land in Ireland? Will we feel as if people see us differently? Will we receive the same kindness as he did?
To my surprise and amazement quite frankly, when Zaire and I arrived in Dublin, I couldn’t help but feel the same type of freedom. We were greeted with a different type of look, one that we seldom experience as Black Americans.
It was not a look of disdain or disappointment. It was a look of curiosity. Black people in America know exactly what I am speaking about here. It is a look, deep in the eyes of some of our White fellow Americans that says ‘I hate you.’ Not because you have wronged me in any way, but because you are Black and you are different.
May 14th 2022, 10 Black beautiful people from my community were murdered by a White Supremacist and my sweet loving son Zaire Goodman and 2 others were shot and seriously injured in that massacre. I do not know if those that were shot had a chance to look that terrorist in the eyes, but I imagine if they had they would have seen that look in his eyes. The look of evil.
As my son and I walked the streets of Dublin, we never once felt the glare. Instead we were greeted with questions. Where are you from? What’s it like there? What do you do? That’s your son? I thought it was your husband?! What brings you here? You should check out this restaurant! Go to this museum! It’s the curiosity for me!
After the 5/14 Massacre my son and I started Zeneta & Zaire’s Book Club. We collect books and donate them to libraries, community centers, schools, etc… We started this initiative to teach children about diversity, acceptance, and the history of Black people. Our tag line is “Our differences should make us curious, not angry.” That was my initial impression of the people of Ireland. They had no hate in their eyes when they saw us, they wanted to know more. And we as Americans have a lot to learn from this.
Now, do not get me wrong. I am not naive to the fact that we have bias, hate, and racism everywhere. It is disgustingly imbedded in communities around the world. I am trying to rid the world of the notion that hate needs to exist. I come across many people who seem to thrive on it. Anger and hate only puts wrinkles on your face and it makes you age faster. Love keeps you young and beautiful LOL! And if you’re ready to spread love I have a good skin regiment for you. It’s only for those willing to do what needs to be done and that’s love, fiercely! We should just want to know more about our fellow humans. I know I do! I’m so intrigued by humans.
Today October 24th 2024 I am on the train with my Kid headed to Belfast. Zaire is sitting across from me sleeping. He’s such a blessing. When I think of all that he’s been through in his short 23 years I think of Frederick Douglass and so many others, but specifically Douglass. We are headed to Belfast so that I can receive an Ambassador award, I’ll circle back to that later, but one of the first things we’re going to do when we get there is go on the Frederick Douglass tour. We are going to be able to see where he traveled to while in Belfast. It’s exciting! But I bring this up now because as a Mother and I’m sitting here being creepy watching my son sleep, I can’t help but to think about the thousands of people who had to die so that we can be here today. I can’t help but feel the fear of Douglass as he escaped America into the unknown. When Zaire was shot, I had never been so scared in my life. I will not equate that to escaping slavery, but the fear of losing my child was debilitating.
Now, we arrive in Belfast and what a sight. A beautiful place with a majestic feeling. The Architecture breathtaking and the people just as kind and curious as those we met in Dublin.
Side note… We stayed at the Titanic Hotel which used to be the home of several offices where the plans were drawn up to build the Titanic. So cool! Also, across the way from the hotel was also Titanic Studios where Game of Thrones was filmed. Yes, I geeked out!
The walking tour of Frederick Douglass’ travels in Belfast is led by Christine Kinealy, a professor at Quinnipiac University who just happened to be in Belfast at the same time as us. She is an expert on Douglass studying his life and his travels and even wrote a book and published articles about him.
We started the tour at City Hall in Belfast. Where Zaire and I saw a little piece of Buffalo. It is customary for Mayors to give out the key to the city but to our surprise we found one in Belfast. It was not labeled as to which Buffalo Mayor gave it to them, but it was cool to see a piece of home in their City Hall.
Douglass gave a speech at a church just across the street. We visited a few other places that he gave speeches at including a church on Rosemary Street and a high school. A street that when you first approach it does not look so significant (my kind of street haha!) But as you walk there’s this beautiful church in the cut hiding. We walk a few more blocks and then there is the most beautiful statue of Frederick Douglass. The statue was erected a year ago as a way to pay tribute to Douglass and his work as an abolitionist, an educator, and a freedom fighter.
When we approach the statue I am immediately impressed. The statute features Douglass standing tall with broad shoulders and with his right arm lifted and right hand pointer finger pointing upwards toward the North Star. His left hand down on his side holding a broken chain. It is a regal statue and reminds you of the pain and the struggle, but also the triumph and legacy.
That was the end of the tour but the day was not over. We went back to our hotel and got dressed for the Belfast International Homecoming Gala. This annual event brings together those of Irish Decent back to Ireland and honors those for their work in Ireland and abroad. Not only did I travel there by an invitation from my two favorite Irishmen Congressman Tim Kennedy and former Lord Mayor Maritin Omulleor, but I met some amazing people on this trip! People who were just as curious about me and Zaire as we were about them. Shoutout to Thomas Griffith who became family to Zaire and I.
During the gala Congressman Kennedy as he always does gave me the best introduction. Sometimes when I hear people speak about the work that I’ve done, it really makes me reflect and be grateful. While he was introducing me I was sitting back thinking of Frederick Douglass and all he had accomplished. He was a slave, he was hunted, and yet he persisted. While Congressman Kennedy spoke I thought of how grateful I am to be able to carry out the mission of our Ancestors. We are not just their wildest dreams we are proving their theories true. They knew that the work they were doing was going to mean something one day. They knew that there was a plan and that we one day would carry it out. My heart exploded with gratitude as Zaire and I walked onto the stage to receive our Ambassador Medals. As I stood in front of the crowd of 300 + people I got emotional, not because of the award but because I knew that Douglass was standing there with me. I got emotional because Zaire survived a racist terrorist attack. I got emotional because we were seen. As humans. Something that Douglass was seeking when he stepped foot onto the Emerald Isle.
It just so happens that this trip coincided with the 2024 Presidential election. And how can I not connect my experience in Ireland with the disgusting racist attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris. This election cycle, as we knew it would, have brought out the most racist hate filled people. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that there are people who think that 45 would make a better leader than Vice President Kamala Harris. Who wants a leader that brings out the worse part of humanity?! 45 wants to turn the clocks back in this country to 1845. He wants us running scared for our lives. We, the adults in the room have to stand and say Frederick Douglass and so many others worked tirelessly and died so that we no longer have to run. We will not live in fear and we will not cower. We will make them irrelevant. We will show the world their ignorance and rise above the hate.
To all of our White allies and anti-racist friends thank you! Thank you for sharing your privilege. Thank you for knowing that you are in possession of privilege, but have the forethought to not weaponize it for evil. Thank you Congressman Kennedy for always sharing your privilege with me. We sincerely love all of y’all!
For the rest of y’all and because I feel I have enough Black credit that I can say this on behalf of the entire Black Delegation, and if you feel some way about what I’m about to say this is especially for you. I’m talking to the White people who see us Black people as a problem, those who look at us with hate in their eyes. Your contempt for me is not my burden to bare, it is yours.
We, the Black Delegation are not going anywhere, so fix that nasty glare in your eyes! K?!
Love you too! Bye!
-Zen
Zen Culture 