Gone, but not forgotten

Today was special. First, we worked with other volunteers to salvage food and bag potatoes at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina at Durham.

In total we were able to pack enough food for over 10,000 meals! After the Food Bank, we went to Geer Cemetery. When I initially heard we were going to a cemetery to help the organization Keep Durham Beautiful, I imagined a mostly green cemetery with a few weeds and overgrown wild flowers. Upon seeing the cemetery, however, I was incredibly shocked. It was a nineteenth century African American cemetery filled with broken headstones, brush and litter.

Most of those buried were slaves. The simple act of picking up trash and sticks around their graves meant so much to me as an African American teen-aged girl. It was a solemn reminder and way to honor all of the black men, women and children who have gone before me and dealt with struggles I can hardly imagine. Today, I was reminded of how everyday I am free because of their endurance. And today I was reminded that although they are gone, they should never be forgotten. By: Jasmine Blue

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"Gone but not forgotten."