Page 23 - North State Parent September 2023

NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE FALL/WINTER 2023 CULTURAL AWARENESS
Anecia Johnson –
Sharing the Intellectual and Natural Wealth, Brilliance and Triumphs of Indigenous Black American and African Diaspora History
BY JENNA CHRISTOPHERSON
Anecia Johnson, Community Educator and Founder of Amma Culture - Education, Sciences & Arts, has a mission and a passion. “I’m living
my divine purpose,” says Anecia. “We at Amma Culture are encouraged that the objective to instill pride in, as well as respect for the indigenous, highly melanated peoples (often referred to as African American and aboriginal) and an appreciation of Black Indigenous American and Foundational Black American history worldwide is being well-received locally by people of all backgrounds. It is a happy and fulfilling destiny.”
Anecia’s passion for sharing the complex and foundational role that Africa and its people play in world history to classrooms and schools has shaped Amma Culture. She describes the nonprofit as a resource for educators, families and children to learn about the incalculable contributions the African diaspora has made to the world throughout the centuries.
The missing narrative of the African diaspora
The foundational role of “black” or original peoples to all human civilizations has been left out of traditional and popular narratives. Amma Culture is addressing this by highlighting lesser known and significant people, places and time periods, from ancient to present times, using the arts and history to introduce the North State to the rich ancient history of the African diaspora—people of African heritage dispersed throughout the world.
The U.S. government has categorized 46 million of its citizens “African American,” with no attention to educating its citizens on the greatness and beauty of the continent which affords us the lifestyles we enjoy. For that reason and others, Anecia feels she has been called to action.
Recently, Amma Culture and Upper Crust Bakery of Chico joined to display a collection of paintings by the late artist and WWII veteran Louis Heiner. The installation of these works of art by a local African American artist, now available to view in the Upper Crust Bakery seating area, has presented the opportunity for Anecia to share some details of the two world wars that many people may not know. “The world wars”, Anecia explains, “also, known as the ‘Scramble for Africa’, were primarily designed to destroy the foundations of and steal Africa’s resources. American and European leaders met at the Berlin Conference of the late 1800s to agree on how to continue the theft of Africa’s natural and intellectual resources. The military destruction, division and theft during the first and second world wars has divided African lands between imperialist countries and has led to decades of genocide and the continuation today of multinational corporations siphoning the wealth from Africa, destroying families, cultures and lineages in the process.”
Inspirationandvision
Anecia shares through Amma Culture the rich literary, intellectual, artistic and cultural legacy African descendants have contributed to the world. Her vision is that children (and everyone) might learn about great leaders and thinkers like Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Ivan Van Sertima, Dr Frances Cress Welsing, Anthony Browser, Dr. Ashra Kwesi and so many others. The father of Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson (born 1875) said, “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
Anecia’s personal history is her inspiration. She was born in Chico in 1961, into a community where Black people have traditionally been 2% or less of the population. Her mother and her aunt were often involved in local civil rights activities. Lizzie Scott, her mother’s elder sister, founded The People That Care center in the 1970s. “The center provided servicestoanyoneinneed,particularlyunwedmothers”,says Anecia. “I didn’t realize it until much later in life, but because there are so few of us being born Black in this community and responding to needs, people will label you 'activist'. That makes me chuckle a bit, because I was raised to be a person who cares about their community. That is the example my parents and their peers demonstrated. They naturally and constantly advocated for themselves and others.”
Creating community and living an on-purpose life
“We have to be intentional about creating true community,” Anecia says. “Amma Culture is about creating opportunities in the North State to connect people of all backgrounds in community.”
Anecia believes each of us is born with something the Creator has placed in our hearts for the enlightenment, upliftment, and healing of our communities as well as humanity. “I think everyone has the potential to live an on- purpose life in which you understand why you have gone through everything in your life and you have the opportunity to give back to the world, to humanity, to your community.”
She recently shared her inspiring message of building community while helping kids to better understand themselves when she joined a panel at Chico State College addressing 150 local TK-12 teachers on the subject of social emotional learning. During the panel discussion, a teacher acknowledged that curricula are devoid of inspiring narratives of peoples that built the wealth of our nation, without proper credit that is due to the unpaid labor of people of color. She shared that the books she is given for her literature courses exploit Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) groups by highlighting primarily defeats and struggles, rather than contributions and triumphs. Anecia says, “Amma Culture hopes to inspire teachers to become
more aware of the need to encourage students, rather than perpetuate perceptions of inherited struggles and trauma.”
Motivated by difficulties and challenges
Anecia’s experiences have inspired her to be an example for all people, who are developing their ability to stand up and speak for themselves and bring their unique message and purpose to the world for the benefit of all. “Amma Culture - Education, Sciences & Arts is my expression of a little ‘Colored’ and ‘Negro’ girl who wanted to know more and has matured and understands her role and significant place in Northern California, in society and the world.”Anecia explains. “I am grateful for all the difficulties, challenges and accomplishments which continue to motivate me to establish a platform for all people to be proud of their heritage.”
Amma Culture strives to fill a need and collaborate with individuals, groups, and organizations aspiring to live in an enlightened and healthy community. Anyone who has questions about the organization, is interested in learning lesser known, thought-provoking facts about Black people or wishes to schedule a history presentation for schools or consultation for organizations on diversity and appreciating all world cultures can contact Amma Culture at ammaculture.org or find the organization on Facebook. Ó
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