Maroon Communities: The History of Black Brilliance and Freedom with Dr. Crystal Menzies

There is so much history that we don’t learn in school.

Colonial and white supremacist historical narratives rarely acknowledge the history of Black resistance and rebellion, or the free Black communities created by Maroons, some of which still exist to this day.

Dr. Crystal Menzies joins Erica to discuss the past and present of Maroon communities, what they have to teach us about communal care and collective responsibility, and why we need accessible, intergenerational education.

In this discussion:

The history of Maroon communities and how they sustain their cultures to this day How Maroon communities implement communal care and accountability Why we need to learn about the resistance and rebellion of Black people Why education needs to be intergenerational and in community

Connect with Dr. Crystal Menzies:

EmancipatED Instagram: @emancipate_ed

Ready to dive deeper?

Pause on the Play, The Community was created as a space to be able to share information, to allow people to connect with one another, to amplify what is important to them, and support one another in becoming the change that we want to create.

In the community, we have conversations where you learn about something that you were unaware of, and how you can shift what’s possible, what can come up in the future if you allow yourself to dream a little bit bigger, to be willing to listen a little bit more intently.

If you would like to be a part of these conversations, if you would like to be in a room with other people that are values-aligned and looking to reconsider their normals, this is the place for you.

Learn more at  pauseontheplay.com/community

Resources:

Learn more about Queen Nanny of the Maroons Watch In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven