Sankofa and the American Evolution: Going Back to Move Forward | Tulaine Montgomery | TEDxBoston

Quick Overview

Tulaine Montgomery argues that to achieve the future America aspires to, people must actively re-commit to the nation's foundational ideals, which she defines by the concept of Sankofa—looking back at history to inform a better, more equitable future, rather than relying on limiting "lazy proxies" or existing power structures.

Key Points: Montgomery defines Sankofa as the principle of looking back at history to inform a better and wiser future, emphasizing that this is necessary for American evolution. She states that America's history contains both brilliant promises and painful contradictions, which must be acknowledged rather than ignored. The speaker challenges the audience to re-commit to the nation's ideals, suggesting that many people are lulled into complacency by the current state, which she describes as the most aged-diverse time in history. Montgomery argues against relying on "lazy proxies" like social media scrolling or pre-approved methodologies, urging for deeper engagement with the core issues. She calls for an active re-examination of systems, structures, and hierarchies based on race and value, requiring rigorous inquiry. The presentation concludes by invoking Toni Morrison's quote, "Dream the world as it ought to be... It must be the way it ought to be," as a call to action for fundamental change.

Context: This TEDxBoston talk by Tulaine Montgomery centers on the African concept of Sankofa, which translates to 'go back and get it.' Montgomery uses this framework to discuss the necessary steps for America to evolve toward its promised ideals, suggesting that true progress requires an honest confrontation with the nation's complex past, which is filled with both inspiring vision and deep contradictions. The presentation urges the audience to move beyond superficial engagement and actively re-commit to building a more just future.

Detailed Analysis

Tulaine Montgomery delivers a call to action rooted in the concept of Sankofa, urging the audience to look critically at American history to shape a better future. She highlights the inherent contradictions in the nation's founding ideals versus its reality, noting that America has always contained multitudes, often characterized by painful contradictions. Montgomery insists that confronting this history—both the brilliant promises and the brutal realities—is essential for progress, particularly as America approaches its 250th birthday in 2024. She criticizes modern behaviors like excessive reliance on social media scrolling and accepting pre-approved methodologies, labeling these as "lazy proxies" that prevent deep engagement. Instead, she calls for rigorous inquiry into existing systems, power structures, and hierarchies based on race and value. The speaker asserts that the path forward requires re-committing to the core principles, something that is challenging when the current reality feels difficult, but ultimately necessary for evolution. She concludes by sharing a quote from Toni Morrison: "Dream the world as it ought to be. Don't let anybody, anybody convince you this is the way the world is and therefore must be. It must be the way it ought to be," emphasizing that the responsibility for creating this future rests with the audience's conscious, adjacent actions.