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Rowing into horrific past for better future
13:59 p.m. EST Jan 12, 2004
Victor Mooney is preparing for the journey of his life. The African-American rower aims to retrace the route taken by slave ships from Goree Island, Senegal (West Africa) to New York City, an 8,000 mile test of endurance that Victor will row solo beginning February 1, 2005 – the start of “Black History” month in the U.S.
The goal of Victor’s voyage is two-fold: The first is to retrace the route of the slave ships and raise awareness about a time in history when millions suffered the horrors and indignity of slavery. The Brooklyn-based rower will depart from the “Door of No Return” - the place on African soil where able-bodied Africans, chained at the neck, last viewed their homeland before being transported to the New World as slaves. An estimated 20 million Africans passed through the port of Goree Island in the mid 1500's and the mid 1800's. He will row along the Middle Passage route from Goree Island to Brazil to the Caribbean Islands; thereafter, reaching the Florida Keys. From that point on, he will head Northerly along the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean and is expecting to reach Manhattan at some time in August.
Victor will be using Contact 2.0 software to send live images and dispatches from his voyage, allowing him to bring history lessons alive for educators, students and anyone with internet access.
As part of the effort to raise funds for “The Goree Challenge,” Victor is seeking 20,000 “passengers” to “Take a Seat on The Goree Challenge – The Middle Passage.” In exchange for a $10 gift, each participant will have their name imprinted on the 24’ rowboat. Additional proceeds will be used to benefit AIDS organizations, which is Victor’s other primary goal.
Moved by the life of his brother, who died of AIDS, and the work of the late New York City Cardinal John O’Connor, who cared for those suffering from HIV/Aids, Victor’s goal is to bring attention to HIV/Aids prevention and awareness in the community, workplace and uniformed services by encouraging abstinence. He believes the deadly illness is 100% preventable and awareness is the key. Victor has spent the last four years rowing around the waters of Long Island and Manhattan doing just that.
To learn more about Victor's journey or to "Take a Seat on The Goree Challenge – The Middle Passage" contact 718-744-0602, or visit the Goree Challenge Web site linked at left.
Victor Mooney is the spokesperson for ASA – The College of Advanced Technology, located in Brooklyn, New York. He also serves as the founder and executive director of South African Arts International (SAAI), an art and artist exchange group. On February 1, 2005, he will embark on an 8,000 mile journey from Senegal to New York City to retrace the route of ships full of men, women and children sent into slavery and to raise awareness about AIDS/HIV Prevention.
Image of Victor Mooney training in full body slave steel shackles and inset photo of "Door of No Return" courtesy thegoreechallenge.com
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