Georgia State Professor Asa Hilliard Dies in Egypt
About 200 members of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC) gathered Tuesday morning in Luxor, Egypt, at the tomb of Thutmose IV to commemorate the passing of one of the organization’s founders, the renowned multi-faceted scholar — Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III.http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_9110.shtml
August 15th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Thank you for such a sensitive and informative article on the life and passing of Dr. Asa Hilliard, a giant among us. It is with great sadness that I learned of his passing. We must keep his memory and legacy alive for the future of our children.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Dear friends,
Email eery educator and school district in the United States and introduce them to this great Brother! They are all forming committees to study how to keep black males and others from dropping out of school. They need to read Dr. Hillard, Dr. Akbar and other Sfrican American researchers and scholars. Lets shout his name from the mountain top…let his spirit and knowledge be felt throughout these halls of miseducation. Brother Listerveldt Middleton, Dr. Clark and now Dr. Hilliard were all on the program coming out of South Carolina hosted by Brother Middleton. DO NOT LET THESE VOICES GO SILENTLY INTO THE DARKNESS OF FORGETFULNESS!!!!! Join ASCAC
August 16th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Dr. Hilliard was not only a guiding light and compassionate force for social justice, he reminded us of the importance of having an honest and authentic dialogue on the issue of race without point fingers at each others. Anyone who was fortunate to cross paths with him was never the same again, because his spirit of social justice would embrace you in a way like never before.
Like Oliver Hill, Sr., who also died recently, I shall miss them both greatly! I shall also keep them alive in the minds of the master’s doctoral students I teach.
August 16th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Dr. Asa Hilliard was a beautiful, wise, far-seeing man who could make interesting, zestful conversation with anyone of any class or race. When he spoke to groups of early childhood teachers he always mentioned my research subject, Sylvia Ashton-Warner, who found a way to avoid “colonizing a child’s mind”. I am proud to have known him, and like the world, I deeply mourn his loss.
August 16th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Giving honor to the ancestors and our Creator, I write this with mixed emotion, simply saying that the image and idea that I am blessed to have met this great man and fortunate to heard wisdom of the ages that I use in my daily life. If I were to go to the next level I can’t think of a better place than Kemet. I placed my Brother.s ashes in the Hapi River A few years ago and hope their spirits will meet and comune together. Brother ASa is not dead for as long as we Remember Hin we will live forever!
August 16th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I\’m so deeply saddened it\’s hard to express my feelings. Asa Hilliard was such an inspiration to those near and far from him. That his earthly spark is no longer with us is hard to fathom. Ironically, it was so fitting that he would make his unanticipated transition in Kemet. That the Gods and Goddesses reached out and claimed him, as he was struggling to give the group his last gasp of African wisdom. I remember years ago, when I travelled to Egypt (2 weeks early) to study with Dr. Ben; I was fortunate to be on the same flight as Asa\’s group. It was a very special trip for me. In reading this article, I joined my spirit with that of the ASCAC group in their libation to Asa\’s entry into the realm of the ancestors. Nenda salama (Go in peace) Mwalimu Asa Hilliard.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Dr. Asa Hilliard was known to present a clear and stimulating philosophy of how to instill a love for learning to our African children in America and on the continent of Africa. He testified on our behalf.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
My dear brother Asa is such a giant words can not express. He has personally given me so much advice about how to spread my passion for educating our youth.
His amazing knowledge and ability to bring such knowledge with love and grace is like no other.
He was also an amazing husband, father and grandfather.
I miss him so much. Anyone who has ever met Asa also misses him so much.
Let’s carry his torch. It burns SO BRIGHT.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
My head is reeling as I recall the numerous contributions coming from this Giant who served us with eloquence and deep knowledge and commitment. He will be missed but long remembered for his unforgettable contributions. God Rest His Soul.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
It is with great saddeness that we receive this news about the Honorable Professor Asa Hillard’s passing. However as believers we accept God’s decision. From the Almight we came and to him we shall return.
There are very few Black (from Africa and the Diaspora) scholars who persuasively make the case for linking Blacks all over the world the way Professor Hillard did. His writings clearly show that we cannot talk about Black consciousness if we simply see ourselves in a synchronic and un-connected manner. His writings remind me (An African woman) that my destiny is not only tied to Africans across the continent but to all Black people specially those living in the Diaspora. To the World we are Black and Hillard proudly welcome this premise and work with it and on it.
Black consciousness means to me understanding the socio-historical, cultural and economic conditions of Africans no matter where they are located and to use this understand to improve the lives to reach out and reach out, and reach out to each other be it in Africa or in the Diaspora.
Hillard’s writings articulate in a very clear narrative what contemporary Black thought should be about: self-knowledge and self-expression but also individual and social empowerment and responsibility.
Peace be upon him and Peace be with his family and loved ones. We miss you dearly Professor but we will continue reading your words for comfort.
Hassana Alidou
August 17th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Dr. Asa Hilliard’s Legacy is here for all of us follow if we are serious about re-instate a true African consciousness in our minds as well as our childres’ . The honor of knowing him on this was my joy. That he would make his return to Spirit in the place where the records have been left for thousands of years is only fitting. Thank you Asa for being our mentor, teacher, brother. Thank you Patsy and family for sharing so much of him with us. Asa, we all rejoin as one when we reteurn to Spirit.
Bethany J. Campbell
August 17th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Dr. Asa Hilliard’s Legacy is here for all of us to follow if we are serious about re-instating a true African consciousness in our minds as well as our childrens’ . The honor of knowing him in this human form was my joy. That he would make his return to Spirit in the place where the records have been left for thousands of years is only fitting. Thank you Asa for being our mentor, teacher, brother. Thank you Patsy and family for sharing so much of him with us. Asa, we all rejoin as one when we reteurn to Spirit.
Bethany J. Campbell
August 17th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Thank you Dr. Hilliard for contributing to the awakening African consciousness. As an educator and African, I know that it is my duty to continue this message not only for my students, but for my entire family. Your spirit will live with us forever. Sankofa!
Evan J. Roberts
August 18th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Dear Friends,
l’m from Ghana,l meet Asa Hilliard lll two years ago in Ghana,Bonwire where we weave kente.l went with the group he brought from the state to A village in Ashanti region kumasi called Mankranso where has being enstooled as Nana Baffour Amankwatia II.
Asa Hilliard came to Ghana this year,only last month l was with him as well as with the group he came with,wherever he goes l was with him on the Bus until he left the shores of Ghana.
Before he left Ghana,l discussed more about our Church First African Freedom Church is founded by Rev.Clarence Glover Jr.from Dallas Texas.He was inpressed and donated money to the church, promised he will do more when he go back to the state.
Truely a big tree has fallen and the church will never forget Asa Hilliard.
We all mourn with you concern of his unespected death.Asa Hilliard is loving,caring,Bretheren.etc
The church will have a special service for him this sunday.
There is a saying that” God gives and he collects”
Asa Hilliard lll has done a lot and he dies at the front of his duty.he is a hero.
Yashalom
Pastor Danquah cell:00233-208-526-707
August 18th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
A life well lived! Those of us who believe in the NATURAL GENIUS of our children must hold fast to the legacy of Dr. Hillard.
August 19th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
As a mother raising a black male in America, I found Dr. Hilliard’s teachings very powerful and useful in today’s society. I am not an educator, but many members of my family are. I met Dr. Hilliard through family members. I was awe inspired when I met him face to face by the deep spirit he possesses when it come to educating our children. I am deeply saddened by his death and am thankful for having shared a moment in life with him.
August 20th, 2007 at 12:59 am
I was deeply saddened at the news of Dr. Hilliard’s death. Although I never met him, I talked with him on the telephone when my son was being harassed by an insensitive teacher in Cobb County School system. The last time we talked, it was about television’s depiction of Imhotep as a monster. I will keep Dr. Hilliard’s mission alive by never backing down when it comes to my children getting an appropriate education. May Dr. Hilliard continue to inspire and lead us, even though he now resides with our ancestors who are still helping us from the spirit world.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:15 am
A friend, a scholar, a activist and a giant for our people. Go with the Gods, Asa, you merit it.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I had what I refer to as the blessed opportunity to know this man. I admired man and honored his work in developing a school curriculum that permitted African American children to see themselves in positive historical terms. His work on this earth will be remembered.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:50 am
I have known Asa for well over 35 years. I met him before I met the illustrious Dr. Ben Jochannan and Dr. John H. Clarke. My first trip to KMT (Egypt) was with Asa before I went with Dr. Ben. I have always had tremendous respect for his scholarship and dedication to the truth. We have lost a library and an institution. Asa was a repository of knowledge and profound wisdom. He was a visionary and in a quiet but very commanding way demanded that ethical and moral truth prevail over drama, misinformation, and outright lies.
He was a scholar in the true African tradition but more impotantly, he was a great husband, father, and a friend. We will all miss him…his smiles, his hugs, and his genuine caring for African people worldwide.
He is among the great ancestors and while none of us wanted him to make his transition so soon, how fitting that he did in his beloved KMT (Egypt)! How fitting that he made this transition as well doing what he loved best - giving knowledge and wisdom to our people. Asa was and continues to be a legacy of excellence as tradition demands. His void will not be filled.
He has left us a template for how to gracefully live, learn, and love. He had also been enstooled as a chief in our beloved Ghana. He was involved with documentation of the Dogon tradition in Ghana and he was a scholar of KMT par excellence!
Those of us who have known him and had the pleasure to be in his space are truly blessed! While we mourn, the ancestors are rejoicing that their beloved son is now at peace and among his true peers.
Asa…we will miss you in this plane and while your life in this plane as a testimony to Ma’at (truth, justice, rightneousss, duty, reciprocity, honor and much more), I know that in your life after this life you will achieve greatness and rightful status among the great ancestores themselves. For yours is a legacy that cannot be matched in this plane and the next.
I remember the words that I heard from an annonymous writer that are so applicable to Dr. Asa Hilliard, “When the one great scorer comes to write your name, he does not ask whether you won or loss but how well you played the game.”
..and my dear brother and friend, you played it better than anyone I have evern known… Go and rest with your peers and know that those of us who still reside in this sphere have a model in your by which we must all aspire.
I am grateful to have been blessed with your presence and African people as well as all humanity are better for you having spent this brief time with us to help us learn, live, and love.
Meda wase!
August 21st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
A grandfather, a father, a husband, a community member, a Jegna/ SBA/ Master teacher, an African freedom fighter, our historical hit man, our intellectual assassin. Nana Baffour Amankwatia II, Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III was an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with. Even those who did not agree were in complete awe of his brilliance. He was our new Ptahotep teaching our people to be whole again. He helped us understand the Maafa has stripped us as a people of our language, our culture, our family values, our traditions. He taught us culture was the key to our empowerment. He spoke MA’AT and lived MA’AT.
As a young brother in my twenties I feel blessed to have sat at the feet of this elder and just listened on the few occasions I was able to. Nana Baffour was the Malcolm X of my generation. I saved all my money to travel with him to Ghana and KMT. In Ghana I ran out of money and he took care of me. He stayed up late at night answering my questions and embracing me as a son. He wrote me e-mails, read my publications and gave me feedback. This was something he did for many brothers and sisters.
How do you explain someone who is so giving and has an unconditional love for Afrikan people around the world. He was unapologetically, uncompromisingly Afrikan, and truly visionary in terms of developing our African world view for mental liberation. He should be celebrated by all with Dr. Clarke, Carter G. Woodson, Garvey and the rest of our powerful African ancestry.
I watched Nana Baffour build relationships with and empower elementary students, middle school students, high school students, college students, families, teachers, administrators, and community members. He brought the best out in us all. He taught us to take a serious look at controlling our own destiny.
He will be greatly missed. Thank you to his family for allowing him to empower us. Nana Baffour’s spirit as an ancestor lives on in us, Ma’at Kheru. Lutima Tushinde Mbilishaka (The struggle continues and we will win without a doubt.)
August 24th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
ASA HILLIARD SPEAKING AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MY LATE AUNT SAID THAT THE DEATH OF A TRIBAL ELDER IS LIKE LOSING A LIBRARY BECAUSE A VAST REPOSITORY OF UNIQUE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IS LOST. HOWEVER,THE LATE OCTAVIA BUTLER THROUGH ONE OF HER FICTIONAL CHARACTERS REMINDS US THAT “EVERY PERSON YOU TOUCH YOU CHANGE. AND EVERY PERSON THAT YOU CHANGE CHANGES YOU.” ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RELIGION IS”TO SPEAK THE NAME OF THE DEAD IS TO MAKE THEM LIVE AGAIN” ASA HILIARD TOUCHED US AND WE WERE ALL CHANGED FOR THE BETTER. ASA HILLIARD III !!! ASA HILLIARD III!!!!
August 30th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
A griot is gone to a higher place. A professor who opened the door of knowledge for so many eager minds is gone. As a member of the Holy Royal Family who journeyed with Asa to the Nile Valley, I must say, even at this late date, that I truly mourn his death. That trip to Egypt changed my life and no doubt the lives of everyone who has ever made the trip with Asa. Up early in the morning to visit the tombs, shop ’til you drop in the afternoon and lecture after dinner–most nights until the wee hours with questions and revelations and conversations, sweet conversations about where and with whom all life began. What a master teacher he was! What a transformer of lives he was! I shall miss him, but I will not let that missing curtail my discussion about the truth of the Motherland.
It’s up to all of us to keep his Spirit alive, and I plan to do my part. What will you do?
August 31st, 2007 at 2:39 pm
ALONG WITH OUR ELDERS, SISTERS, AND BROTHERS, WITH A DEEP FEELING OF REVERENCE, I GREEVE FOR OUR BELOVED AFRICAN PRINCE .
WE WILL CONTINUE THE WORK TO BE DONE .
September 2nd, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Farewell for now Brother.
Your passing will be sorely missed.
Thanks for the wonderful work done and the sacrifices made in bringing light to our eyes.
Sincere condolences to the immediate and extended family.
Victor Nicholls.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:05 am
My heart sunk when I read of Dr. Asa Hilliard’s passing. More than the loss of an educator, an historian, the world has lost a good man, with a kind, caring heart.
Ten years ago, I perceived the forgotten ancient history of Africans in the Americas. No, not merely a “presence” of Africans, but the written record they left of what they did across the South, Central and Meso-American landscape. How stunned I was to experience the arrogance of some African-centered scholars when I attempted to share these things.
And then I got the phone call from Dr. Hilliard, and my soul stirred with hope. One man’s caring heart untied the anvil that selfish ego had laced.
In some way, in his honor, I will announce the discovery that resolves the debate over the role of ancient Egypt in the achievement called ancient Greece.
The battle rages over a Greek “theft.” No one seems to know that the most ancient Greeks were Africans who sailed from what the biblical writings call “Mahli” (Mali), “Guni” (Ghana) and a country named for “Jair” (Niger and Nigeria). The ancient African-biblical writings say these countries were in the place called “Argob.” And being from this West African “Argob,” the ancient Greeks were first called “Argives.”
And now, the African temple has been found that removes all doubt about these things. It has taken 10 years…10 years from the time Dr. Hilliard’s caring heart launched this ship of discovery with a wind called courage.
When God allows these things to become common knowledge again, attached to them will be the note commending Dr. Asa Hilliard. May God bless him and give peace to those whose hearts ache so awfully for him.
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:48 am
Baba Asa and I had a brotherly relationship for nearly four decades. He was a guiding light throughout my entire professional career. It has taken me this long to come to grips with his transition to be with other distinguished elders. I will continue my work through the “Asafication of my students as well as with children that I continue working with in school settings.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:18 am
I first met Dr. Hilliard in ‘1976 during the Links Cotillion in San Francisco. His son, Asa the IV and I were friends then and Dr. Hilliard often came to rehearsals and would hold court and share his wisdom with those that would listen. Being in the Black Studies program at Berkeley High School under the late Richard Navies, I was hungry for knowledge and Dr. Hilliard did not disappoint during those impromptu sessions. He could bring the pain and one could see that he had a great love for his people and the illustrious history they created.
There are no words that can express the profound and utter sadness that I feel upon hearing of his passing. But I now have to remind myself that men such as Dr. Hilliard don’t really die; because his legacy and his work will forever remain as a testament to his life. In 2000 years when future archaeologists stumble upon the remains of America, they will find the works of Sertima, Hilliard, Jochannon, James, Clarke, Diop, and other great African History Masters and rightfully place them beside Imhotep as masters of great knowledge and wisdom.
Hotep