gabriela johnson

USA ‘22 #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

The historic cemetery is described as the “final resting place” of the survivors of the Clotilda. “Final” insinuates the lasting surviving slaves have a group of resting places to chose from and had to disrupt their peace several times to finally rest contently. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

A time lapsed video( a little bit slowed down) I took of the entrance of Africatown and the Plateau Graveyard. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

I loved the statement of the entrance sign of Africatown... “A community of heritage and pride”. It emphasizes how this community was developed through a strong foundation of deeply rooted heritage that will leave a legacy for inhibitors of the community and visitors. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

Tour guide Mary *

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

#AFRusa20 Our tour guide Meagan explained that it wasn’t until maybe 2013 that the controversial assumption about Oakleigh operating as a plantation was proven wrong. 2013 is pretty recent, so that was interesting to me that the community believed this false narrative.

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

The fact that Oakleigh was given a false narrative relates to the paradigm . People’s assumptions and beliefs allowed them to avoid finding out that the families, such as the Gaithers, were working for the Irwin’s at their own will. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

@JanuaryAmya @MinneishaP @BoulerKatie yep, a reason why Black men stray away from hospital visits today.

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

Idk about y’all, but it was a great experience to finally see an illustration of Cudjo. It’s like our assigned readings were finally brought to life #AFRusa20

[Minneisha Pettaway @MinneishaP]

This is an artwork of Cudjo made by Emma Langdon Roche an artist, and an American writer who wrote the first book about Cudjo and the Clotilda. #Afrusa20

[Shelby Boyd @Sboyd122]

People of color in Mobile, whether free or not, needed to carry notes with them if they walked around alone. Free people usually had theirs made out of leather so it'd last longer. Imagine being "free" but still having to have a hall pass for the rest of your life... #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

The painter said

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

One’s financial affluence determines how well they are remembered in the future. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

I noticed a connection to the paradigm regarding economics during my tour. In the first room James Roper’s picture isn’t as big as the Irwin families’, despite him being the builder of Oakleigh. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional but it reminded me of how important financial status-

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

build Oakleigh and participate in selling slaves because of the Panic of 1837, which is another reason why the building process took so long. The panic left him in financial distress to where he couldn’t even pay back his loan to build Oakleigh! #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

#AFRusa20 #AfrUSA

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

I enjoy how all of us shared this same picture. My favorite takeaway from it is a sense of empowerment. Family photos are important. So with the Gaithers being allowed in the photo, their relevancy to the Irwin’s is definitely portrayed. Their significance won’t be forgotten.

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

These Belles are apart of the Oakleigh Belles Leadership Program who represent the Historic Mobile Preservation Society, unrelated to our assignment but I just thought their dresses were lovely! #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

It’s pretty neat how deep slaves’ spiritually went. You wouldn’t think that something as little as what color the ceilings or porch are would have anything to do with spirits. Their values and beliefs encouraged their owners to follow suit.

[Minneisha Pettaway @MinneishaP]

Many owners were told by their slaves to paint their porch or ceilings blue to keep evil spirits away as it was a tradition Africans would practice back at their home this is an example at @oakleighmansion #Afrusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

We all happened to be a group of African Americans, which exemplified how beliefs , values, traditions, and ways of living are universal throughout one culture. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

What I enjoyed the most was my classmates and I noticing some items that we’ve seen our grandparents still use, especially the irons. It shows how life really is a reoccurring cycle of events. #AFRusa20

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

@MaryAnn32975523 @MiaWash62753435 Agreed

[gabriela johnson @gmjohns3]

I wonder too. Oakleigh only missed the mark by 3 slaves, big difference 🤦🏾‍♀️
#AFRusa20

[kjw1823 @kjw1823]

They stated that the Oakleigh wasn’t a plantation because it only had 16 slaves whereas a plantation had 19 slaves . I wonder where this distinction derived from ? #AFRUSA20