Published October 25 2018
At the next Cultural Conversations gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 30, an Ethiopian American woman will share how she, along with a diverse group of people from around the world, retraced the steps of enslaved Africans to the Americas. The interfaith pilgrimage of the Middle Passage began a healing journey and shaped the trajectory of her life.
The gathering and discussion will be 1-2:30 p.m. at Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St. The event is free, refreshments are served and women of all ages, faiths and cultures are welcome to attend. To fully participate, attendees are encouraged to arrange for child care.
Tizita Assefa of Bellevue, who grew up in the U.S. after immigrating with her family at age 7, will recount the year-long walking pilgrimage she took along the Eastern Seaboard, the Caribbean and Africa, which were part of the Middle Passage (the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean).
Assefa was one of about 35 people of varied backgrounds who signed on for the 1998 trip, organized by an interfaith group to explore the history and legacy of racism. The pilgrimage stopped at sites and communities, intended to begin to heal the pilgrims and the land. The journey was cathartic and educational for those who participated and hundreds of people they encountered along the way.
In its ninth year, Cultural Conversations was launched as a partnership between diverse women in the community and the city of Bellevue. It was initiated by women with a desire to get better connected with their community and enhance their understanding of different cultural practices. Gatherings include women from around the world.
For more information and to RSVP (appreciated but not required), please contact Carol Ross at NeighborhoodOutreach@bellevuewa.gov or 452-452-6836.