Jennifer White-Torres GD MFA Thesis Statement

Black To Our Roots
Current Elevator Pitch:
Exploring The Contemporary Youth Pan-African Movement

If someone asked me why I want to go to Africa when I was 15
my first response would be: I’m not a teenager with an attitude, I just want to go to Africa. I’m Anti-Teen Angst, Pro Africa!

How have past African Diaspora movements impacted contemporary movements and ideals? Is a pilgrimage at a young age effective? What impact will it have? Will it be long lasting? Is it just a trend? How will design play a role? How will I visually communicate the journey of a 15 year old that is about to embark on a heavy life changing experience? The key will be to assist them to incorporate effective design into their fund-raising ideas and to realize how significant their visual language is essential to impact their community. The youth are the inheritors of the future so the ties must be maintained long after they return.

As part of my thesis I have researched their goals and what they really want to get out of the journey. Will it bring them to consciousness? Pan-Africanisms major academic goals are reexamination of African history from an African perspective as opposed to a pro-European perspective and a return to traditional African concepts about culture, society and values. Pan-Africanism gave rise to the civil rights movement in the US and to independence and anti-imperialist movements in Africa. Will the fundamentals of Pan-Africanism continue to be abstract?

Visual Graphics and exhibition ideas:

Installation of the shape of Africa created from physical and found objects collected from the Black To Our Roots youth & community. Objects will be African and Baltimore City themed. They can consist of African handmade jewelry, fabric, pieces of musical instruments, photographs, speakers, records, etc.

The installation can be located on the wall with the other option of suspending it from the ceiling so it can be viewed from all angles. Possible experimental posters featuring portraits and words will accompany the exhibition. A visual timeline will also be apart of the exhibition showcasing how the Back to Africa movement came to pass and how it is influencing contemporary ideals and organizations such as Black To Our Roots.

The Atlanta initiative began in 2002 with group of families in Atlanta who encouraged their friends and kids to join. It has since turned into a national movement called Habesha Inc. (Helping Africa by Establishing Schools at Home and Abroad). The organization has merged into a youth leadership program that instills cultural education, sustainable agriculture, and much more that pushes youth to become bright ambassadors. They have continued to take a group to Ghana each year.

Habesha has developed 6 chapters in New York, The Virgin Islands, Washington, DC and, most recently, Baltimore city. The organization that is now preparing a special 3-week trip for African-American youth ages 13-18. The trip includes overnight stays in family villages, initiation ceremonies and visits to the original slave dungeons. 52 original slave dungeons still stand as tourist attractions in Africa; 48 of those are located in Ghana. Staggering fact.

I have interviewed and documented the Baltimore chapter as they prepare to take their 1st journey this summer. As a part of their initiation into the organization they each had to submit an essay answering if they considered themselves African and why they want to go to Africa. The responses were intriguing and thoughtful. They are also encouraged to think of fun engaging ways to fund their trip. Many of them are fully aware of the cultural Diaspora that has weighed down their culture and are open to the opportunity to connect.

Download the pdf for visuals:
JT_Thesis Presentation_feb_2010