The PasT come back To haunT
name: cheyenne Paul Professor shaka mcGloTTen november 26, 2018
Table of conTenTs
shorT backGround sTory abouT The world………………..3 field noTes……………………………………………………………………...5 sPiriTual sancTuary………………………………………………………....9 meaninG behind The riTuals……………………………………………. 10 informaTion abouT The invasion of animals………………..11 conclusion……………………………………………………………….. 12 muTaTions…………………………………………………………………. 13 ciTaTions…………………………………………………………………………15
backGround knowledGe:
During this experience, I was sent to the future of Harlem, in the year 2048 to find out if there are a couple of new discoveries we should begin to look forward to, that are coming out. As I arrived to what used to be “Central Park”, I began looking around at bare emptiness. What we once used to call home, has been erased. And as I finally found someone whom looked like they could be from the future, I was hit with some tragic information about what happened to our neighborhood. However, an important detail I’ve learned during this trip was, death sees no color. Meaning no specific race or ethnicity was killed off, simply because Harlem is home to not only people of color, but Caucasians, too. About three years ago, Harlem was hit with a Nuclear Explosion due to presidential conflicts, which whipped out thousands upon thousands of individuals; which being, most of the human race within Manhattan. As we all know, nuclear bombing can burn the flesh of the individual, their lungs begin to give out. Plus, it destroys basically everything that is within close vicinity of the incident. Causing there to only be dirt on the ground; there are no longer building standing, trees blowing, multiple people walking around, or birds chirping. However, there are about ten to fifteen families of individuals who are now living underground in the area called, The Harlem Underground Railroad. These are the families who survived because they had enough to time to escape due to living further away from the scene. In addition, due to the increase of animals in the Central Park Lake, there was a shortage of lake water due to the explosion. Causing not only for
the fish and ducks to die, but it gave the Epaulette Shark and Crocodiles the chance to explore the surface. The way these villagers explain the story about the invasion, it always sounds like they were under attack and in war with terrorist; for their last dying breath. But, once they get to the end of the story, you realize the people were the ones who won and they feasted on the animal’s bones. As I continued walking and snooping around underground, I stumbled upon a group of individuals who were practicing their Spiritual Dances. I was told these dances were to help the people of the village communicate with their ancestors. Some of the dances even are to connect a living family member’s depressed spirit to the dead ancestor’s soul, in order for them to be guided in the path of power and success. In addition, I've noticed gender powers have switched. Women are now working with these powerful paying jobs, while the males either work with little to no pay or they stay at home. The families now work at a place called, Spirit Family. The females are now the ones who risk their lives and protected the family; they're the ones who pay the bills and work long hours while the males stay home and tend to the house. This center was for those who aren't good on their toes, but want to communicate with their deceased relative. In addition, the people who adapted to the underground, began to grow at a slower pace, they have the advantage of having quick feet and it give them the ability to connect with a part of the brain (we don't use now) in order for better communication skills.
field noTes:
Date: June 4, 2048; Time: 2:35 pm
Place: Underground Railroad and above ground
Observation: There is a mixture of people. There's isn't just one specific group of individuals down underground. There are a couple of houses down here; however, majority of the low class people live down here. There are several bones and skulls down here from many slaves from years ago; they're covered up in dirty. I see some of the markings within the stones from past slaves to let people know they were in a safe place; some said “safe house” or “station”. In addition, everyone treats everyone like family, simply because some of the families or individuals have lost their loved ones. As my fellow workers and I go up to see the sunlight, we begin to see only brown; no green. Everything has been destroyed, no more homes, corner store are destroyed, the water in the rivers and streams evaporated because of the rays. Everywhere we look we see chunks of bricks and stones everywhere.
No one is above ground anymore; everyone who has survived the radiation have moved underground to the railroad. Specific fact: There is ventilation within the railroad. Radiation is what killed most of humanity. Radiation rays ended up in their drinking water, causing them to die of thirst. Due to this explosion many became sick, but didn't die. Some are underground being medically treated. Plus, the ones who took showers with the radiation water, their skin started to peel off. As I begin to visit these people I have realized many of them are thinking positively and are still striving for their best.
Numbers: There’s are now about 10-15 families here. Everyone else died due to the explosion. And there are about 5 people I call my colleagues. Details of what happens at the site: As I and my fellow colleagues continue our journey to gather information about our new world atmosphere, we are here to gather information about the radiation rays and to see the communication between people and the energy’s. Also, in our site we are here to study the different mutations these individuals start to inherent due to living underground for so many years. In addition, we are watching their movements and studying their connection between one another.
Sensory impressions: Sights- Underground railroad is pretty dim lighting everywhere, but you're able to see what you are doing, eating, etc. Above ground looks brown and dull; no longer happy and free. Sounds-above ground is quiet, while below is pretty enjoyable. It's like this radiation explosion created a new community. You are able to hear people chewing due the type of food they eat Textures- The walls are hard and feels like it’s made of clay. The floor is soft and bumpy because of the rocks. Smells- There is a sweet smell underground. It smells as if love and peace was in the air. However, there is still dirt around them giving a nature feeling. Taste- A couple families have invited me over for dinner! Their food is amazing, I can't believe they are able to add amazing favor into the food while being down underground. Personal responses to the fact of recording field notes: 
Everyone seems to treat each other like family
Everyone is happy and nice even though they lost loved ones and valuable items
They don't let the explosion define whom they are
Specific words, phrases, summaries of conversations, and insider language:
Within this community they are speak either English or Patwa (Creole)
Phrases- Mi no care {always saying this because they don't care what happened to them in the past, they will continue to keep fighting and moving forward.}
Questions about people or behaviors at the site for future investigation: 1. How can people be so happy after they just lost everything? 2. Do they ever feel like giving up? If so why, and where do you plan to go? 3. Do they ever wonder how the connection with their family would be if the explosion did not occur?
sPiriTual family cenTer
This is the place where the most power is transmitted and gain to and from a single human soul. This area is where the women villagers help any of the families connect and communicate with their loved one. This area either is visited by a spirit who was either called by a family member who uses a dance ritual or the old fashion way: by using a host who is willing to accept
the beyond world. During the couple of days I was in the future of Harlem, I witnessed a few dance rituals with different family members, it was extremely touching for the heart to feel. Watching these people ball their eyes out when they either heard their child's voice, mother or father's voice, grandparents voices, or long lost friend’s voice was amazing. After witnessing these incidents, I am able to say there is an afterlife. As they continued working on their Vodun work, I began feeling more and more connected with my heritage. They say Voodoo originated from Haiti, which is one of the Caribbean islands. My mom always used to tell me, I have family who practice Voodoo before, but I wasn't sure if it was real or not.
dance riTual messaGe
The meaning behind their spiritual dance, was for them to allow individuals to have the opportunity to connect and communicate to their ancestors on a deeper level. Deeper than just being able to hear their voice. This gives individuals the power to feel the energy of their loved one. The
meaning of this ritual is to call upon their ancestors for help. As they gain the attention of the ancestor, they begin to fight to soak up the energy of the deceased. They continue to bang and scream to the heavens for the acceptance of the other life. Eventually, they’re hit with a light of guidance; which sets them off to test their guidance from the angel. Towards the end of the dance, the ancestor’s presents is still around. It doesn't leave because it is going to continue to guide the individual in the right direction; it will always be looking down to see their success. As the dance comes to an end the ancestor is finishing up their final checks for miss components of a successful future, and then its goodbye.
The mammal fiGhT
One of the most famous event that occurred in the Harlem Underground Railroad was the mammals (Sea creatures) vs. mammals fight (Land animals). This was a fight to the death; to see not only who has the power, but also, who uses their knowledge better. The mammals that were a part of
this fight were the Epaulette Shark and the Saltwater Crocodile between the human races. The people of the village still think till’ this day, the only reason these creatures were able to find these families were because they grew too big for the manmade lake, giving them the ability to access land and water. To this being a manmade lake that means there are no pipes to guide the water and unwanted presents to another area. Plus, it is because even in the future, people will still throw anything is that little lake.
However, even though these animals snuck up on the families, the families were still a couple steps ahead due to their advance 3D drone technology. This done was able to not only see the animals coming towards their new home, but it also estimate how far the intruder is from the
target giving them the chance to start preparing.
Plus, there is
a 3D scanner the villagers use to help duplicate other artifacts. This handheld scanner helped them duplicate the correct swords and knife they needed in order to survive the attack.
conclusion: As this project comes to an end, I have learned that everyone's mindset isn't the same; no one has the chance to think the same when background information is told to them. This project really made me think, think until the point I was frustrated, but once I had my story plot laid out, it became easier to handle. As I end this project, I want my readers to think to themselves, what if we have to move underground because of an issue? Can a deadly explosion like this hit Harlem at any time? What would've happened if there were actually only 10-15 families left on this earth? I just want their minds to wonder especially when it comes to the creatures coming onto the land.
Items for protection and some mutations:
Air masks each individual has been using since they are able to go above ground for items: Berries, veggies, light store
shopping.
This body suit is what protects their skin
from the radiation rays outside in the air. Their skin no longer peels and
burns with this fabric on.
The air domes are
what the families live in while they are underground for a permanent period
of time.
Due to living underground the people are no
long able to get their hair done as often as they are used to. Therefore their
hair length has become shorter.
The height of
individuals began to slow down due to their living environment. The shorter you are, the easier it is for the individuals to get around within the living space.
Due to the little to no light within the underground the families have adapt to seeing in the dark. Their eye color is now black, which gives them the ability to survive in the dark; these individuals are able to walk freely and see clearly around them in the dark.
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