About Us
At the heart of I Choose Life is the vision that the African American community, given adequate information and assistance, will choose life-as expressed in measurable dignity-affirming, life-preserving, and health-enhancing practices, that they can be educated, assisted, and encouraged to respond personally and collectively to meet the challenge, cost and consequences of health disparities in inequities. And that we will teach our community how to self-consciously become involved in ongoing and effective efforts to improve, protect, preserve, and enhance their lives and ensure a good future for coming generations.
I Choose Life History
Why the symbol and name, “I Choose Life”:
The symbol—SESA WO SUBAN means to change or transform your character a symbol of life transformation. This symbol combines two separate adinkra symbols, the “Morning Star” which can mean a new start to the day, placed inside the wheel, representing rotation or independent movement.
In the historical narrative, the Nubian Pharaoh Piankhi returned to the city of Noph (Memphis), the ancient capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt to end political anarchy and injustice and to re-establish a good and just society. Pharaoh Piankhi speaks of this choice of life or death, around the walled city, he offered them peace and life or war and death, giving them a message that has meaning for us today, as we confront the many life and death choices we face daily.
Piankhi said to the inhabitants of the city seeking security behind their high and thick walls: “O’ you who are living with death. Do not lock the gates of your life so that you are brought to the slaughtering block this day. Do not desire death and detest life. And I will make a covenant with you for life before the whole land.” Moreover, he says, “Consider this: two ways are before you. You may choose as you wish. Open up and you will live. Stay closed down and you will die”, Choose life.