Today, the city of Suffolk is sponsoring the Sankofa Festival from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina.

Sankofa is a Ghanaian expression which means, “Always remember the past, for therein lies the future.” It encourages people to reach back and gather the best of what their past has to teach them so that they can achieve their full potential as they move forward in their lives.

The last thing we want to do is stir the pot that boiled over in April regarding the Confederate History Month Proclamation, but the definition of Sankofa sure sounds a lot like what members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans were saying regarding its proclamation and activities.

Yet one is worthy of a festival and the other not even a piece of paper?

Regardless one’s feelings regarding whether Suffolk should give its stamp of approval to Confederate History Month, if the city is going to encourage and financially support one observance, perhaps it should do it for all?