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“We Are In This Together”: The Road to Unity Among Maroon Communities
By Fabian Stennett
In the hills, forests, and coasts of the Americas and the Caribbean, the legacy of the Maroons whispers through the trees, dances in the firelight, and echoes in every drumbeat. They were the rebels who said “no” to slavery—who ran, fought, built, and survived. The Maroons are not just historical figures; they are a living people, a living story. But today, like many diasporic communities, Maroon people face a new challenge: not the fight for freedom, but the work of unity.
In an age of fragmentation and disconnection, how do we, the descendants of warriors and visionaries, come together again? How do we bridge the rivers of difference to build one powerful stream?
The answer begins where it all began: with trust, purpose, and shared history.
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The Legacy We Share
Before we can move forward, we must look back—not with longing, but with clarity. Maroon communities were born out of resistance. From Jamaica to Suriname, from Brazil’s Quilombos to the Blue Mountains and beyond, our ancestors carved freedom out of impossible odds. They established autonomous societies rooted in African traditions, reimagined on new soil.
That legacy is more than a memory. It’s a blueprint. A reminder that when we act collectively, we survive—and thrive.
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The First Steps Toward Unity
Maroon unity isn't just a dream; it is a necessity. And while the road ahead may be complex, the first steps are simple, profound, and within our reach.
1. Cultural Reconnection: Knowing Ourselves Again
A people disconnected from their culture are easy to divide. Cultural reconnection is not just about art or history—it’s about identity. Host storytelling sessions, organize cultural festivals, teach the languages, the dances, the foods, the rituals. Pass it all on.
When we know who we are, we stand stronger—together.
2. Open Dialogue: Hearing Each Other’s Truth
Unity cannot exist without conversation. It’s time to sit together—across regions, generations, and even disagreements—and listen. Virtual circles, town halls, community dialogues—whatever the format, what matters is the act of hearing to understand.
This is how empathy grows. This is how trust is rebuilt.
3. A Shared Vision: Knowing Where We’re Going
Freedom was the goal of our ancestors. But what is the goal of today’s Maroon community?
Is it land sovereignty? Cultural preservation? Economic independence? Healing? All of the above?
We need to dream together, then build a roadmap with everyone’s voice at the table. A shared vision turns scattered effort into unstoppable movement.
4. Celebrating Our Diversity
Maroon communities are not monolithic. Each region, clan, and lineage holds unique customs. Unity does not mean uniformity. It means respecting differences while recognizing what unites us.
Let us not erase diversity. Let us uplift it.
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The Work of Unity
Talking is not enough. Unity is forged through action. Here’s how we put vision into motion:
5. Protect the Land, Protect the People
The land gave us refuge. It fed us, hid us, healed us. In return, we must protect it. Collaborative land stewardship and sustainable agriculture projects can become powerful unifying efforts.
Environmental justice is not just ecological—it’s ancestral.
6. Build Economic Power Together
The strength of a community shows in its ability to sustain itself. Cooperative businesses, community banks, shared farming, local markets—these are not just economic solutions. They are statements of self-determination.
Let the dollar circulate within the village before it leaves.
7. Invest in Education and Skills
A strong people must be equipped with tools to survive—and thrive. Vocational training, entrepreneurship workshops, mentorship programs—these investments don’t just change individual lives. They empower entire communities.
Educated minds build emancipated futures.
8. Heal the Wounds We’ve Carried Too Long
The trauma of slavery, colonialism, and division still lingers. To unify, we must heal—together. Ceremonies, spiritual gatherings, mental health support, and restorative dialogue all offer pathways toward reconciliation.
Unity without healing is fragile. Healing creates unbreakable bonds.
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Leadership for the People
If we are to unify, we need leaders who lead from within—not above. Leaders who serve, listen, uplift, and inspire.
Now is the time to cultivate leadership that reflects the best of who we are: wise elders, dynamic youth, strong women, and everyone committed to the collective good.
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Together, We Rise
Maroon people have always known the power of unity. It was unity that built communities in the wilderness, won wars against empires, and preserved African traditions across centuries of violence. That same spirit still lives in us.
We are not starting from scratch—we are starting from strength.
So, let the call go out—not just to remember who we were, but to imagine who we can be. Let it echo across the mountains, into the cities, through the villages, and across the diaspora:
We are in this together.
And together, there is nothing we cannot do.
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Author’s Note – Fabian Stennett:
If you are a member of a Maroon community or an ally, the time to act is now. Begin with one conversation. One gathering. One shared vision. From there, movements are born.
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