The Freedom Key of New Orleans

"You Hold the KEY To Your Future"

It is challenging to comprehend the horrific nature of slavery. Based upon the foundation of the United States, as noted in The Declaration of Independence, "all men are created equal". In addition, the Lord's words which states "loves thy neighbor as yourself", indicate that the physical and emotional shackles of dominance should not exist. The "master" no longer holds the key to the shackles. The fact is each one of us has the KEY within ourselves. The Freedom Key represents the struggles and achievements of our past and the achievements yet to come. It represents the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of our ancestors. The Freedom Key unlocks the customs and traditions, and the profound understanding of our past which we shall never forget. The Freedom Key unlocks the gratitude we have for our foremothers and forefathers who endured immense suffering while maintaining their strength to change the unbearable. The Freedom Key unlocks the wisdom of the great ones who have gone before us, the ones who have shown us the way, giving us the strength to continue. The Freedom Key allows us to remember that we are the key to unlock doors, paths, or struggles that prevent us from becoming who we are and who we are to become in the eyes of the Lord. The Freedom Key allows us to understand with pride the knowledge and hardships of the past generations and know that our past will forever be our strength. The Freedom Key allow us to achieve the impossible knowing that all is possible!

Catherine Johnson Broussard, Poet

This Freedom Key is called

"Woman"

the creator of life.

The Story of the Freedom Key

The Freedom Key came about when my grandson started collage. Leaving home for the first time left his soul unsettled. He was reminded that he is built on a strong foundation and clothed in knowledge from his father, me and other family members. It was explained that even though our ancestors were taken from all they knew, all which they created and that they were shackled, and the "master" held the key, he holds the key to his success. And that he has the key within. He has the ability to open any locked doors and to lock doors which does not feed his inner peace. He wears his Freedom Key proudly knowing that his strength lies within and that his strength was given to him before his name was spoken.