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Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial

 
 
Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, October 31, 2007
1. Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial Marker
Inscription. To commemorate the arrival in this harbor of Kunte Kinte, immortalized by Alex Haley in Roots, and all others who came to these shores in bondage and who by their toil, character and ceaseless struggle for freedom have helped to make these Unites States. A luta continua!
 
Erected 1981 by V.O.T.E., Anne Arundel Coalition of Tennants.
 
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansArts, Letters, MusicCivil Rights.
 
Location. 38° 58.656′ N, 76° 29.225′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Compromise Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is at the Annapolis harbor. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Coastal Evolution (within shouting distance of this marker); History Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Circle & Market House Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); A Story of Preservation
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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Market House (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonard A. Blackshear Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred A. Hopkins Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
 
More about this memorial. Marker is three-sided.
 
Also see . . .  History of Development - A Luta Continua!. A Luta Continua is a Portuguese slogan that literally means “the struggle continues.” It has indeed been a struggle to erect the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial. A struggle that took over twenty years!

When Alex Haley’s best selling story Roots won national acclaim, a group of Annapolis, Maryland citizens recognized the significant role of Annapolis in the story. Led by Carl O. Snowden, the group approached the Annapolis City Council in 1979 to discuss placing a memorial in honor of Kunta Kinte at the Annapolis City Dock. The Mayor at the time was quoted in the Washington Post opposing the idea, indicating that Kunta Kinte was not an Annapolitan.

Within two years a new Mayor was elected who ran on a platform that
Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, October 31, 2007
2. Marker Side 2
Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial. An educational, inspirational, and healing place revealing universal messages of Alex Haley's Roots saga. Components of this site were dedicated in three stages: September, 1997; December 1999; and June 2002. Participants in the dedications included the Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation; notable officials from the Federal, Maryland State, Anne Arundel County, and City of Annapolis Governments; the United States Naval Academy; the Haley and Ridout families; and Roots film star John Amos. Thousands of people from across the USA and other countries attended the dedications thereby reflecting the universal appeal of Haley's messages.
included supporting a plaque at the City Dock commemorating Kunta Kinte’s arrival in 1767. It was 1981 and the new Mayor was Richard Hillman. Before the year was out, thousands of people observed the dedication of the plaque. In attendance was Alex Haley himself, along with then-Governor Harry Hughes, County Executive Robert A. Pascal and Mayor Richard Hillman.

But that was not the end of the story. Within 48 hours of the plaque’s dedication, it was stolen, allegedly, by the Ku Klux Klan. The news of the theft made international headlines. The plaque was never recovered. Alex Haley was quoted in the Capital, saying “the theft of the plaque spoke volumes about the people who stole it.” Within two months local citizens had raised enough funds to replace the stolen plaque.

In 1992, the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation, under the leadership of President and Founder, Leonard A. Blackshear, started the process of building the now completed Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, which includes the restored 1981 replacement plaque commemorating Kinte’s arrival.

That process was finally completed after over 23 years of challenges and struggle. On June 12, 2002 the final phase of the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial was dedicated. The Baltimore Sun wrote, “At last, Annapolis will honor one of its most famous sons in proper fashion.
Marker Side 3 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, October 31, 2007
3. Marker Side 3
Inscription: Alex Haley, Family and Heritage. Alex Haley, in his family's story, Roots, shows how the strength of the human spirit to overcome challenges comes from maintaining strong family connections and pride in one's heritage. Here Alex shares heritage stories with children of diverse ethnic groups. Take time to share heritage stories with children so they can pass on their proud heritage and learn respect for the heritage of others.
After years of plodding debate over whether to erect a statue at the point where Alex Haley’s ancestor landed in chains at Annapolis, officials have finally agreed on a fitting memorial."

Today the Memorial is seen by some 1,000,000 visitors a year. Although Alex Haley did not live long enough to see this Memorial completed, if he were here today, we are sure that he would say that it “speaks volumes about the many people and organizations from around the world who helped build it!” (Submitted on November 27, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.) 
 
Memorial to Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Stroud, October 13, 2005
4. Memorial to Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley
Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, October 31, 2007
5. Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial
Annapolis Harbor image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, October 31, 2007
6. Annapolis Harbor
Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008
7. Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,782 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on February 21, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.   4. submitted on December 29, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.   5, 6. submitted on November 21, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.   7. submitted on March 19, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024