Queens leaders mark 400 years of African American heritage

Members of the Devore Dance Studio perform. Eagle photos by Caroline Ourso

By Caroline Ourso

The Queens legal community celebrated 400 years of African American heritage on Friday with cultural performances and an examination of the history of inequity and discrimination against black Americans in the legal justice system.

Musicians and dancers from the Devore Dance Studio opened the event with a lively routine, and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks delivered a brief speech at the Queens Theatre. 

“What is endangered right now is our judicial system,” said Meeks, referring to the United States Supreme Court. “If we are not careful, if we don't stay focused, then all of the gains we made could be washed out by a judiciary that will be in place for a generation.”

“As we celebrate today — and we should celebrate every day — let us not be complacent; let us not get comfortable,” Meeks continued. “Let us not think it is forever, or otherwise, history will have its chance to repeat itself.”

“I do believe that in such a time like this… we are ready for the challenge. We will make a difference and as a result we will make sure that tomorrow is better for our children than today and yesterday is and was for us.”

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Constitutional Law Professor Gloria Browne-Marshall served as the evening’s keynote speaker and guided the audience through the centuries with specific examples of African American leadership and resistance. Browne-Marshall focused on the evolution of laws in the American colonies and the current United States, describing how the legal system has routinely morphed in order to prevent people of color from gaining rights.

She began by telling attendees stories of the warrior Queen Nzinga of Angola who attempted to end the African slave trade in her country, which began in 1619, through diplomacy and eventually warfare.

“We don’t know about Queen Nzinga because this country… omits so many parts of African history as it commits sins against people of African heritage and other people of color, as well as women,” said Browne-Marshall.