Despite what we’ve seen, heard and been taught, the Negro, Black, Afro/African-American has a history in this country that should not only be acknowledged but also celebrated.
That was the purpose of the thousands who flocked to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., to celebrate the grand unveiling of what promises to be the preeminent gateway from history to the future with the National Museum of African-American History and Culture. The commander in chief himself, President Barack Obama, was among the dignitaries there to usher in the new vital building.
Explaining its magnitude in the opening of his speech, Obama enthused, “James Baldwin once wrote, ‘For while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard.’ For while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. Today, as so many generations have before, we gather on our National Mall to tell an essential part of our American story—one that has at times been overlooked—we come not just for today, but for all time.” All time!
Running in conjunction with the opening of the museum was the Freedom Sounds Festival on the Washington Monument grounds. The three-day program was theme oriented, with Friday serving as “Homecoming,” Saturday as “Celebration” and Sunday as “Call and Response.”
“The themes of the festival highlight the social power of African-American music as a communicator of cultural values, challenges, aspirations and creative expression,” said Mark Puryear, a Smithsonian Folklife Festival program curator and co-curator of the festival. While artists such as Jean Carne, 9th Wonder, Robert Randolph, Sonia Sanchez, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Stanley Clarke were featured, the main stage acts were Living Colour, Public Enemy and The Roots Saturday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 25, featuring Experience Unlimited, Meshell Ndegeocello and Angélique Kidjo.
Just as we were about to speak to the performances, real life came into play. Let’s hope that the museum has the wherewithal to add a few more items. Let’s hope it has on display a lettered sweater emblazoned with the letter F to celebrate the lives of Roger Daniels, aka DJ Dr. Rock, Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy, Charles “Mercury” Nelson and now Trisco Pearson—all members of the criminally underrated group, Force M.D.’s. Regrettably, Trisco succumbed to cancer on Sept 17.
On Sept. 24, we need on display the boom-box that needs 10 D batteries, wielded loud and proud by Radio Raheem. Though a cinematic character, the life and untimely death of Radio Raheem affected a generation. RIP to the great actor Bill Nunn, who was able to bring that character to legendary status through his immense talents. Now as of press time, let’s hope the keyboards used to compose “The Mood,” “Edgartown Groove” and “I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On)” get a prominent display position in remembrance of the Harlem born genius Kashif Saleem.
All three will be missed.
Over and out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.