Artwork: Door of No Return

NFSFor centuries millions of Africans went through the infamous door of no return at Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle.  This was a gateway through which many passed and died on the perilous journey across the Atlantic.  The fortunate survivors arrived in the Americas as slaves.West African Adinkra symbols are much like proverbs.  The symbol Sankofa is repeatedly carved into the door.  Sankofa tells us we can return and fix it.  We can remind ourselves and our children that suffering continues today because of ills 500 years old.  We can never trample upon people because of their color, culture or class.  Yet we do it every day.  What lesson have we learned?
Door of No Return, mixed media on wood door 24" X 80"

NFS 

For centuries millions of Africans went through the infamous door of no return at Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle. This was a gateway through which many passed and died on the perilous journey across the Atlantic. The fortunate survivors arrived in the Americas as slaves. 

West African Adinkra symbols are much like proverbs. The symbol Sankofa is repeatedly carved into the door. Sankofa tells us we can return and fix it. We can remind ourselves and our children that suffering continues today because of ills 500 years old. We can never trample upon people because of their color, culture or class. Yet we do it every day. What lesson have we learned?