Brooklyn has long been celebrated for its rich tapestry of cultures and histories, but a lesser-known chapter of its past has been brought to light, revealing a battle for freedom and safety fought by its residents of African descent. In the book "Brooklynites," professor Prithi Kanakamedala dives deep into the 19th-century lives of Black Brooklyn residents, shedding light on their survival and resistance in what was once a slaveholding hub of New York.
"The first thing everybody needs to know is that Brooklyn was a slaveholding capital," Kanakamedala told Gothamist. From the creation of free Black communities to the entrepreneurial spirit of establishing independent schools, the stories of these Brooklynites are not merely footnotes in history but narrate a collective journey of resilience and self-determination. Their involvement in the underground railroad and self-education are poignant examples of their unwavering pursuit of liberty.
Parallel to this narrative of past hardships and survival is a contemporary story of reclaiming spaces for the Black community. A recent initiative in Brooklyn by Outlandish, a hiking-gear store, aimed to connect Black New Yorkers with nature. As noted by co-founders Benje Williams and Ken Bernard, outdoor activities such as hiking often confront stereotypes and barriers that dissuade Black participation. Yet, last weekend, the store hosted a Black History Month hike at Harriman State Park, further diffusing such misconceptions and celebrating Black engagement in nature.
Outlandish's efforts to include and educate Black people and other marginalized groups in hiking and nature was highlighted in a New York Times feature. "That's the hope for this hike, especially after a couple of rough weeks, just going out and breathing and remembering that things might be falling apart but there’s still a lot of beauty as well," expressed Williams, addressing the climate of recent societal tensions. The founders seek to reforge connections with the outdoors, a relationship fragmented since the Great Migration, linking their mission to a historical continuum of Black presence in natural spaces.
