Into the Depths is a podcast from National Geographic that documents divers on their treks to locate shipwrecks from the Transatlantic slave trade. The podcast is poignant, soulful, heart wrenching, and important.
I found myself pulled in and repelled all at once in that way that many people can relate to when learning new information that's emotionally charged. I won't summarize the podcasts here. The works themselves are an experience that must be shared without distilling them down. Please check them out here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/into-the-depths
I had the opportunity to speak to Carla Wills, one of the producers of Into the Depths, and I was struck by how much passion she has for this subject matter. She looks like me, brown skin and full lips. Eyes that have seen things and are still filled with wonder and curiosity. She spoke truth. She conveyed pain. She exuded both joy and despair.
Ms. Wills was able to marry several African traditions to the practices many of us engage in today, like spirituality, reverence for ancestors, and more. Most importantly, she crystalized the importance of this connection to the past. During a time when the larger society seems intent on cutting us off from our history, she and her team are more committed than ever to bringing our full story to the surface.
I loved the conversations and questions you had! They were very insightful and honestly opened my mind up to think differently about the history. Ms.Wills was very helpful and agree I love what her and her team is doing to bring us knowledge of our history