It started as a celebration of family kinship – old and new. It is revered as a time to unite, fellowship and reflect on the richness of family heritage. For generations, black family reunions have been the foundation of family legacy and affirmation. It is a time when families gather to pay homage to the struggles of yesterday, and to focus on tomorrow.
In times past, reunions often consisted of one-day, fun-filled gatherings in a local park or recreation area. Today, families are traveling the world, visiting grand hotels and taking part in exotic vacations. Family reunion organizers no longer depend solely on the telephone to communicate.
Preserving the traditions of past generations will keep this enlightening family ritual fresh and exciting. Recalling early family memories to share with children is the sturdy foundation on which family reunions were built.
Robert Gaston, who once served as the chairman of his family’s 2005 Family Reunion said, “The family reunion is the only way to keep black families close-knit. In the 1800s, families believed in staying together, and it is our job to pass that to the younger generations. The family reunion is a testament to enduring family traditions.”
“Black families have gone through so much down through history, and that legacy must be instilled into the coming generations. It is up to us to pass the torch, and up to the younger generations to make sure the fire stays lit,” said Gaston.
Black history is a deeply rooted connection to our past that creates a strong sense of family identity, said Mae Brazelton, who also helped to organized a family reunion. “The history and legacy behind the family is what keeps us going and growing,” Brazelton said. “If we don’t continue to come together and educate our children, our heritage will be lost, so we cannot let the family reunion die.”
“It is a time to celebrate, honor and acknowledge our beginnings,” said Brazelton. “We must let our elders know that we appreciate the contributions they made to maintain the strength of the family.”
“It is time to renew our family values, and we must start by appreciating and acknowledging where we come from,” said Brazelton.
“The things we do together as a family are the building blocks to a strong family foundation. As we stay linked to the past, we become more grounded in the present and are more prepared for the future. The devotion that is evident in the time spent together at these annual or semi-annual get-togethers provide a base for families to keep traditions alive.
The family reunion is the fiber in the thread of family history. That thread weaves together an age-old outline of heritage and celebration. Keeping those rituals alive in family gatherings will create a one-of-a-kind tradition that will last through coming years, and one that you will never forget.”
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