Jumping the Broom
Many African Americans have incorporated the jumping the broom ritual into their ceremonies as a way of recognizing their ancestors past. Now they honor those memories by jumping the broom in a legal marriage celebration. This act symbolizes the rising of a new generation from the hopes, dreams, vision, and desire for equality of all those treated unjustly.
Slaves were the first group of people denied the legal rights of marriage in this county. As we celebrate those who have been given this right (African American, interracial, and same sex couples), we should never forget those who suffered the most and was denied for this basic human right and why.