Assembly Resolution No. 36

BY: M. of A. Fall

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
February 2021, as African Diaspora Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
applaud and commemorate events which foster ethnic pride and exemplify
the cultural diversity that represents and strengthens the spirit of the
people and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2021, as African Diaspora
Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The African diaspora consists of the worldwide collection
of communities descended from native Africans or Africa's peoples,
predominantly in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, Throughout history, people from Africa have migrated to new
areas, been transported without consent, and relocated for new lives
elsewhere around the world; people who have been living in Africa for
decades now are also in the diaspora and helping expand their cultural
heritage in increasingly more areas; and

WHEREAS, African diaspora consists of Africans located in other
countries outside of Africa, including Spain, 690,291 Africans; Germany,
817,150 Africans; Mexico, 1,386,556 Africans; Peru, 1,200,000 Africans;
most other countries contribute to the African diaspora; and

WHEREAS, The real African Diaspora includes people from Africa who
are living outside of Africa who are positively impacting the continent;
this powerful group is often working for the development of African
cities and other undeveloped areas on the continent, creating the
African Union for a greater Africa; and

WHEREAS, Historically, much of the African diaspora population began
in the Americas, Europe and later, expanded in Asia; a significant
reason for this occurred during the slave trade era across the Arab and
Atlantic Ocean; and

WHEREAS, Scholars believe this was the origins of the concept of the
African diaspora, which occurred during the 16th and 19th Centuries;
these centuries were periods when people from many areas of the Americas
were selling slaves to other regions of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The massive scale of the slave trade is how large
populations of Africans began to rise in these locations; it lead to the

future generations continuing to stay in these locations and calling
them home; and

WHEREAS, In times of freedom, Africans began to realize a new life
in these foreign countries, and over time, African populations grew; and

WHEREAS, Today, the current African diaspora is happily living in
the Americas and other parts of the world, and have maintained and
passed down many of their traditions as a way to preserve their
heritage; Africans always try their best to introduce these traditions
to the world by showcasing their native culture even while residing
abroad; and

WHEREAS, People of African descent can be found all around the
world, although some people may not primarily identify themselves as
being African; the African diaspora consists of people in Europe,
America, Asia, and everywhere in between; most Africans are proud of
their heritage and background and when asked, would quickly say their
origin country in Africa as their home; and

WHEREAS, The African Diaspora is a perfect example of the strength
and resilience of the African nation; from a dark past, Africans have
turned this negative situation into one of new opportunity, and as the
African diaspora continues to grow, this national pride will be found in
even more places around the world; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2021, as
African Diaspora Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.