In the spirit of remembrance, today we’ll focus on identifying cultural artifacts that hold meaning for us. Cultural artifacts are physical representations of our memories—items that carry significance beyond their material form. These can include photographs, clothing, recipes, jewelry, and other family heirlooms. These objects do more than hold sentimental value; they bear witness to what has come before, linking the past to the present and reminding us to share our rich heritage with future generations.

During Liberation Table, we come together to share the significance of our cultural artifacts and explore how they connect to our family histories and the broader narrative of Black history. Engaging with these objects helps us recover the stories of the past, which in turn informs our present and inspires a brighter future.

TODAY’S PRACTICE: Choose a cultural artifact and reflect on what it means to you.

Listen to historian Tiya Miles discuss her journey to trace the history of a family through a treasured antique cotton sack in this podcast about her book All That She Carried.