Upholding family traditions: praise for Black Family reunions

Ebony, Sept, 2006 by Stephanie N. Johnson

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.

Family reunions have adopted contemporary trends and are more high-tech. 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. In fact, many families have created Web sites and newsletters, and some even use e-mail to keep family members updated about upcoming activities.

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 served as the chairman of the planning committee for the 2005 Butler Family Reunion, stands unyielding on that foundation. "The family reunion is the only way to keep Black families close-knit," says Gaston. "In the 1800s, families believed in staying together, and it is our job to pass that to the younger generations."

The family reunion, he says, is a testament to enduring family traditions. In a time when many view family rituals as old-fashioned, the "Butler Clan" is holding fast to the sense of stability and closeness that the family gatherings provide.

The Butlers, who have been gathering at reunions for more than 20 years, routinely discuss their heritage, and, for them, that creates a sense of wanting to know more. It's that zest for knowledge about their lineage that keeps ancestry education firmly planted in future reunion plans.

"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," says Gaston.

Black history is a deeply rooted connection to our past that creates a strong sense of family identity, says Mae Brazelton, who organized the 2006 Harris family reunion. "The history and legacy behind the family is what keeps us going and growing," Brazelton says. "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."

Reunions are the roots of the generational tree, where each individual branch knows and holds its place. The key benefit of the reunion is the passing down of information. Beliefs and values are handed down from one generation to the next, and a significant part of our identity is founded in that connection to the past.

"It is a time to celebrate, honor and acknowledge our beginnings," says Brazelton. "We must let our elders know that we appreciate the contributions they made to maintain the strength of the family."

Gaston believes that some family traditions have been lost due to lack of encouragement. It is up to the older family members to take the initiative to support and discuss family history, because only then will it give the younger generation a true sense of how important family is, he says.

Gaston and other reunion planners suggest putting together a souvenir booklet that highlights the roots of the family tree. Such documents give participants an opportunity to see how extensive and important the family heritage is. "The souvenir book can be a keepsake and a reference guide, but most of all it is a reminder of family," says Gaston. "It shows you where you fit in and helps you find your place."

Brazelton believes that using a younger family member to honor the elders for their contributions helps to create a foundation of support of family traditions. At the Harris Family Reunion, awards were presented to the "living legends" of the family. During the presentation, a grandchild performed an original poem, and a plaque was given to the eldest members of the family.

"It is time to renew our family values, and we must start by appreciating and acknowledging where we come from," says 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.