Press Release

African American History vs. American History

Does race matter? How does slavery impact our communities today?

How are students impacted in the age of the first African American President? Is President Obama a Socialist?

Bridgeport, CT – November 3, 2010 – Hundreds of students from Bridgeport Public Schools will engage in a discussion about how to talk about race in the age of the first African American president. Does race matter? Is the history of African Americans being taught in our schools as a part of American History, should it be?

These and other important topics will be discussed after students experience a special matinee performance of the: MAAFA (MA-AH-FA) Influence Production – Evoking the Pain of the Past and Building a Strong and Powerful Future.

The MAAFA Production is a thought-provoking, historical psychodrama taking center stage for students on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 9:30am sharp at Mount Aery Baptist Church, 73 Frank Street.  The production is written and produced by Gina LeVon Simpson, a local resident and member of Mount Aery Baptist Church, along side a cast of more than 200 (local) residents ranging in age from 7 months to 70 years old.

‘MAAFA’ is a Kiswahili word describing calamity or disaster as it refers to the period in world history known as the Middle Passage of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, a time during which millions of African people journeyed from freedom in Africa to bondage in the New World. The MAAFA Influence Production addresses how the history of a painful past still affects communities today.

This historical drama will feature music and dance while providing an educational, eye-opening experience for everyone through the history of dramatic expression. Not only does this drama help African-American communities gain healing through revisiting the horror experienced by their ancestors, but it also aids people from ALL backgrounds to understand the extent of the suffering and oppression faced by generations of African-Americans in the U.S.

Immediately following the production the cast and students of the production will assemble to discuss the every day effects of slavery, racism as well as solutions.

This event is sponsored by the Mount Aery Development Corporation.

This is a special event for students. The production is open to the public on Friday, November 5^th (@ 8pm) and Saturday, November 6^th (@ 7pm). For tickets and more information, visit www.mtaerybaptist.org or call 203-334-2757.