grioo.com

[Pakira]

Sidiki Trawally
Monrovia

"I shed tears and I wished my family was there with me to see and take a look at the documents that revealed the truth of our family connection dating far back in Liberia, says Koromah Boykins.

Koromah Boykins is on a mission. A mission he says to reclaim the land of his ancestors and origins of his family in Liberia.


Boykins says his quest to discover his roots began in 1993 when he stumbled on some deeds in his family archives dated as far back as March 30th 1882.

Boykins says the deeds show an annexation of a territory taken over by the British. "That territory is where my grand parents came from. I became curious and set out on a journey to London to investigate and make research. It was during the research that I conducted when I finally became to understand that I have a Liberian background. I now knew that the history of my town in Liberia has been buried but I was able to find it," say Boykins.

Boykins is among a growing number of African-Americans seeking citizenship in Liberia.

Charles L. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of Restore Negroes Heritage to Africa says the thing that stands out the most in his mind is, "there are lots of ordinary Liberians who believe that Liberia was founded as a homeland for freed slaves from America, their descendants, and all people of color who want to live free. That premise we can say is long forgotten, and is totally unfulfilled. Many of the founding fathers descendants who are citizens of Liberia continue to serve the Caucasians of the Western world until this day," says Jones.

Jones says he himself has been involved in trying to reclaim his citizenship from Liberia. "I've been doing this since 1999, when I got back from Liberia, went to the U.S. State Department to seek help for Liberia because the country was in turmoil. Jones says the state department said they could not provide the kind of help that he was seeking, but you can help if you go to Liberia and run from president.

" How can I stand for president in a country I'm not citizen of. Jones says the state department official informed him: "that's where you are wrong, You and every black American are citizens of Liberia."

Jones says when he asked whether there any documents to that effect he was told to conduct research which he eventual did.

"I went and found them on the internet, on the archives and the Liberian congress. It has what is known as Article 9. 1839.

"I'm not a stranger to Liberia or Africa. I have spent fifteen or more years in Liberia. I found many people in the country who agreed with my philosophy. So that's how long I've been involved, he says.

"Once we claim our citizenship to Liberia then we will be restoring our heritage to Africa," says Jones. Jones said the problem now facing him and others seeking Liberian citizenship is whether to put Liberia in a court of law and let the courts interpret the issue as whether they are legitimate citizens of Liberia or not. Or apply for the rights to become citizens of Liberia.

"I am an ordinary Black American who has spent on and off 15 or more years living in Liberia, commencing 1980 and ending 1998. My longest tenure was from 1991 through 1998. During the many years I lived in Liberia, I learned many things about Liberia and its people," says Jones.

In Koromah's case, he says he hired a historian to help him dig up the truth about his ancestors. "There was a volume of collections of Liberian history in London in the library. That was in 1999. Everything turned out to be true. I read the corporate legit, I shed tears and I wished my family was there with me to see and take a look at the documents that revealed the truth of our family connection dating far back in Liberia.

"I am an American citizen, I have learned about my Family and corporate history. I immediately called a family meeting upon my return from London and informed my family, especially my mother.

Boykins says the meeting was timely and nice. "My family was happy to know that they have a background in Liberia. My grandfather was born in Liberia from the Koromah and massaquoi family. My father, Robert Boykins, is a resident in Baltimore, Maryland.

Koromah says he would like to go back to visit Liberia someday. " I am 32 and I have a 10-yr old son, Cornelius. I am also teaching my son the Liberian history.

Koromah says his ultimate goal would be to attain a Liberian or ECOWAS citizenship and says he has already contracted the services of some lawyers in the U.S. to achieve that goal.

Koromah attempted to make his case at the recent All Liberian National Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland. "I initially contacted ECOWAS through their website, but they suspected me as someone who was just trying to front. That is why I came to this national conference to show you people these deeds and to be able to explain in person, who I am and what I stand for. I am proud to be part of Liberia. I heard about the war and all the conflicts that were going on, I felt bad. I hope that this conference will be able to come out with a resolution that will help seize the war situation," says Koromah.

In 1989, following the death of Koromah's grandfather George M. Koromah Sr, the family discussed what what was going to be done with the property in Soulema, Sierra Leone. "Our portfolio left by grandfather led to the research of the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 These deeds led me to London to inspect the registrar and found everything to be legitimate," says Koromah

"To this day, I'm still dealing with Her Majesty government and public office led me there. Amongst all this we have family history, corporate history," says Koromah

"England takes the territory so long in dispute, and which covers a line of sea coast of some forty miles, by cession direct of the so-called King of the Gallinas and Chiefs of the neighboring country, in an " Agreement" concluded at Solymah, March 30, 1882 with Governor Haveloc, which agreement was not ratified for nearly a year, as appears by the Governor's Proclamation of March 19, 1883, conveying "Her Majesty's confirmation and acceptance."

The Region "annexed is described as bordering on the Atlantic Ocean and Extending a "Distance inland of half a mile from high water," and intended " as part of the colony of Sierra Leone." The consideration is an annual stipend of 210 pounds distributed among fifteen native princes and headmen in sums of from 5 pounds to 30 pounds, payment to begin at once.

For his part, Jones, says the one thing that stands out the most in my mind is, "there are lots of ordinary Liberians who believe just as I do. We all believe that Liberia was founded as a homeland for freed slaves from America, their descendants, and all people of color who want to live free. That premise we can say is long forgotten, and is totally unfulfilled. Many of the founding fathers descendants who are citizens of Liberia continue to serve the Caucasians of the Western world until this day."

Jones says the day has come when all conscience minded Liberians and Black Americans must unite the African families that were separated by the Caucasians, 185 years ago. There will probably never be a better time than now to do this, mainly because Liberia has an interim government that must be replaced in the foreseeable future.

Jones says in view of the political situation in Liberia, Liberians and Black Americans have an opportunity to discuss Liberian politics without fear of reprisal coming upon them.

"Liberia is beyond a doubt of any proportion the African homeland for Black Americans. In order for Liberia and its people to prosper, we all must put aside our differences from the past that told us what they did, or did not do to or for one other, in their quest for building a nation. Those of us, who possess a vision that stretches far enough to see this, must do all that's in our power to make it become a reality. "

Jones says because Liberia was set up as a free haven for ex-slaves it was difficult to keep records or tract of the activities of most of their ancestors.

"It is not about money, it is about reestablishing our heritage to Africa that was taken away by the white man," says Jones.


http://allafrica.com/stories/200505240519.html
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