The Story



We are All Antarctica is a story about my father George W. Gibbs, Jr’s adventures as the first person of African descent to set foot on the continent of Antarctica. He sailed on the famous ship the USS Bear in 1939 to 1941 on Admiral Byrd’s III expedition to the South Pole. It was the first joint venture with the US military and private exploration. Gibbs went on to serve humanity in countless ways, paving the way for not only people of color in the community of Rochester, MN but for all people to become more human, serve their community and appreciate differences.

Through compassion, tenacity, faith and countless hours in the trenches, Gibbs’ life is a model for community service, equality and fun. As the lowest rank on the ship, he was honored for his contribution at a time when people with dark skin were considered less than human.

This story integrates my experiences with natural healing, the arts, the science of the ice, the metaphysics of the South Pole and the history of the expedition and its mystery.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

It’s George Gibbs Day!



It’s 15 years since George Gibbs left the planet.  We now call him George W. Gibbs, Jr.  
(W for Washington, after the first U.S. President). 

But no one wrote or spoke his complete name, until after he died. He was the first man of his race on Antarctica. Until January 1940, no person with black African descent, from any country, set foot on the icy continent.

Since 2000, his legacy has grown.  There is: 

George Gibbs Drive, SW Rochester, MN;

George Gibbs Lecture series, sponsored by the Mayo Clinic;

RCTC Gibbs Scholarship Award  (college);

George Washington Gibbs Jr. Elementary School;

George Gibbs Meritorious Community Service Award from NAACP;

and Gibbs Point in Antarctica

Thousands carry a positive memory of George, who lived to elevate the human race.  This exhibit called Intersections at the Rice Art Gallery reminds me of what George W. Gibbs Jr, stood for. Have a beautiful November 7th. http://www.ricegallery.org/anila-agha/

Shout out to Tay, who played Scout, was also born on this day. We recently performed in "To Kill a Mockingbird". Your presence inspires me!


Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)