For many, the idea of wearing jewelry akin to what our ancestors wore during slavery, is considered insulting to African-American strides.
Contrary to that belief, a local company believes that a visual reminder of our not-so-distant past will instill a more focused future.
Ujaama Inc. is a family-owned business that produces the Freedom Bracelet, a sterling silver bracelet made in the likeness of a shackle. Company president Shawn Baker doesn’t view the significance of the bracelet as a return to the past, rather an insight into the future.
“It’s a part of my history,” Mr. Baker said. “It’s not to relive, but to remember how far we have to go.”
The Freedom bracelet was the brainchild of Mr. Baker and his brother Gor’Don as they were traveling through Winston-Salem, N.C. on their way back from a CIAA basketball tournament in 1992. During the ride, they closely examined the lengthy journey of our ancestors in their quest for a better life and compared it with the present day African-American community. In the face of alcoholism, drug addiction, imprisonment, and the separation of the Black family, the freedom bracelet is meant to make every African-American individually responsible for the struggles still before us.
Rather than awaiting a leader, Mr. Baker stated that “it will take a collective effort” to tiffany and co break the mental chains enslaving the Black community.
Each freedom bracelet is made with the last link broken, showing the African American break from the chains of slavery. On the inside of the bracelet is the Ujaama, Inc. emblem and a number indicating how many bracelets have been made. The purchaser of a bracelet also receives a certificate of authenticity and a deed of commemoration.
Ujaama, the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, was formed in 1997 with the mission of “rais[ing] the consciousness of all nations, to keep cognizant the unerring truth of the contributions made to society and to the world by the African-American people.”
The freedom bracelet provokes a mixture of comments and opinions according to Mr. Baker, who wears his on a daily basis with the broken link dangling on the outside of his wrist.
“The bracelet catches the eye,” of Whites and Blacks alike. “Some of the younger Black guys think I’m on a home monitoring system,” Mr. Baker said.
Mr. Baker stated that he has received comments criticizing a product reminiscent of a negative key rings part of our history, and comments recognizing the importance the company mission, even a favorable comment from a “card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan.”
Mr. Baker, who tells people that he encounters that he’s “a run-away” from slavery, also encourages that “you have to set yourself apart from everybody.”
The company encompasses the Baker family: Gordon and Vera Baker, four sons, three daughters, a brother-in-law, and a close friend of the family.
The Ujaama corporation also produces t-shirts in various styles, baseball caps, lapel pins and coffee mugs, all with the freedom bracelet logo. Events such as Afram, the Juneteenth celebration and conventions promoting African-American awareness have served as vending opportunities for the company to promote their message.
Interested in receiving additional information about the freedom bracelet and other Ujaama products?necklaces Call Shawn Baker at 410-542-1006; Fax: 410-542-1442; E-mail: Ujaamal @ aol.com; or contact their website at www.welcome.to/ujaama.
Freedom bracelet – `It’s a part of our history’
Freedom bracelet – `It’s a part of our history’
By Vicki T. Lee
Baltimore AFRO Staff
For many, the idea of wearing jewelry akin to what our ancestors wore during slavery, is considered insulting to African-American strides.
Contrary to that belief, a local company believes that a visual reminder of our not-so-distant past will instill a more focused future.
Ujaama Inc. is a family-owned business that produces the Freedom Bracelet, a sterling silver bracelet made in the likeness of a shackle. Company president Shawn Baker doesn’t view the significance of the bracelet as a return to the past, rather an insight into the future.
“It’s a part of my history,” Mr. Baker said. “It’s not to relive, but to remember how far we have to go.”
The Freedom bracelet was the brainchild of Mr. Baker and his brother Gor’Don as they were traveling through Winston-Salem, N.C. on their way back from a CIAA basketball tournament in 1992. During the ride, they closely examined the lengthy journey of our ancestors in their quest for a better life and compared it with the present day African-American community. In the face of alcoholism, drug addiction, imprisonment, and the separation of the Black family, the freedom bracelet is meant to make every African-American individually responsible for the struggles still before us.
Rather than awaiting a leader, Mr. Baker stated that “it will take a collective effort” to tiffany and co break the mental chains enslaving the Black community.
Each freedom bracelet is made with the last link broken, showing the African American break from the chains of slavery. On the inside of the bracelet is the Ujaama, Inc. emblem and a number indicating how many bracelets have been made. The purchaser of a bracelet also receives a certificate of authenticity and a deed of commemoration.
Ujaama, the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, was formed in 1997 with the mission of “rais[ing] the consciousness of all nations, to keep cognizant the unerring truth of the contributions made to society and to the world by the African-American people.”
The freedom bracelet provokes a mixture of comments and opinions according to Mr. Baker, who wears his on a daily basis with the broken link dangling on the outside of his wrist.
“The bracelet catches the eye,” of Whites and Blacks alike. “Some of the younger Black guys think I’m on a home monitoring system,” Mr. Baker said.
Mr. Baker stated that he has received comments criticizing a product reminiscent of a negative key rings part of our history, and comments recognizing the importance the company mission, even a favorable comment from a “card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan.”
Mr. Baker, who tells people that he encounters that he’s “a run-away” from slavery, also encourages that “you have to set yourself apart from everybody.”
The company encompasses the Baker family: Gordon and Vera Baker, four sons, three daughters, a brother-in-law, and a close friend of the family.
The Ujaama corporation also produces t-shirts in various styles, baseball caps, lapel pins and coffee mugs, all with the freedom bracelet logo. Events such as Afram, the Juneteenth celebration and conventions promoting African-American awareness have served as vending opportunities for the company to promote their message.
Interested in receiving additional information about the freedom bracelet and other Ujaama products?necklaces Call Shawn Baker at 410-542-1006; Fax: 410-542-1442; E-mail: Ujaamal @ aol.com; or contact their website at www.welcome.to/ujaama.