Written and performed by Makena Hammond
Directed by Jane Fleiss Brogger
“Black Woman In Deep Water” is inspired by the incredible true story of Margaret Garner, a runaway slave, who escaped with her husband, in-laws, and four small children while pregnant with a fifth, only to be recaptured. Faced with a harrowing decision, she takes the life of one of her children rather than allow her to return to the ills of slavery. The tale is told through Margaret’s own eyes, the eyes of her imagined west African ancestor, and Yemoja, the West African goddess of water. The elder passes along cultural rituals through the recounting of African creation myths and the story of Yemoja. As Margaret recounts the past, Yemoja and the ancestors seek to remind Margaret and all people of African descent of our royal heritage, our courage, and our shared bright futures.