“Today is August 20, 2015. What does that mean? It means that exactly 369 years ago, slavery as we know it, here in [the United States of] America was born.” Michael Coard, activist and professor at Temple University explains via mega-phone on a rainy day near the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. 

The glum weather did not stop the handful of African-American activists from gathering on behalf of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition group (ATAC). This date marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first slaves, who were stolen from Portuguese ships from English pirates. 

An activist even went on to describe how it was his duty to come out despite the weather in order to honor his ancestors who fled for freedom in the rain, snow and extreme heat. 

Those who spoke stressed the importance of African-Americans to know their history, celebrate their accomplishments and to avoid the mainstream discourse of Euro-centrism; advice which is as useful to Latinos as to the African diaspora.