Juneteenth celebration rocks the hall

On Thursday evening, June 19^th, the feeling at City Hall was festive. People of African ancestry packed the main chamber of the City Council for "Juneteenth, the Celebration of the Liberation of the enslaved Africans in Texas." It was hosted by Speaker Gifford Miller, Council Member and mayoral candidate for 2005, Charles Barron and the New York City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus. Members Yvette Clarke, Al Vann, James Davis, Kendall Stewart, Bill Perkins and Oliver Koppell represented the council.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. It stands for June 19, 1865 - two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation - when Union forces sailed into Galveston, established control of Texas, and finally brought word to persons enslaved there that they were free. As Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Pastor of the House of the Lord Church, said in commenting on this withholding of information by the enslavers, "The lesson of Juneteenth is: never trust the information emanating from the people who profit from your predicament."

With the portraits of white males that occupy the walls of the chamber looking on, it was thrilling to see and hear the sights and sounds of Continental Africa, the Caribbean and African American culture literally rocking the hall in celebration of Juneteenth.

The evening began with a processional led by the Djoul’e African drummers followed by N. Rick Anthony Richard's outstanding rendition of the Black National Anthem. The P.S. 306 Ethan Allen All-Stars Steel Pan and the New York Community Steel Pan Orchestra each played. The soulful gospel groups Anointed Voices and Divine Harmony performed as well. The audience was also treated to the stirring dancing of Orisa Cameron and a wonderful piece by the exuberant young Leaps and Bounds Dance Troop. Spoken word artist Tylibah concluded the evening's cultural performances with a powerful recitation of her poem "Who's the Evil Axis?" about the US and its war on Iraq.

With Paul Washington, Council Member Barron's Chief of Staff, performing very ably the duties of the evening's MC, these performances were interspersed with the presentation of proclamations to ten of the city's most important and influential African Americans whose contributions have greatly enriched the community over the years.

The first went to the woman Charles Barron proudly calls "the love of my life" his "Queen at home" his wife of many years, Inez Barron. She was honored for her 37 years of extraordinary service to the Board of Education - 18 years as a teacher and another 19 as a Principal and then Assistant to the Superintendent. Her service has greatly benefited the lives of thousands of children.

Next to receive a proclamation was Kathleen Cleaver, former Communications Secretary of the Black Panther Party and former wife of Eldridge Cleaver, now an esteemed educator, writer and lawyer. In accepting her award she said, "I think this is for all the people who I represent: my comrades who spent years in prison or in exile, who struggled and died, the people who can't be here because they are scattered throughout Africa, the people who, because of their commitment, had their lives shattered. Thank you for acknowledging our struggle."

Another honoree was James Mtume, respected radio host on KISS FM. Before his proclamation - which listed an astonishing array of musical credits - was read, Charles Barron noted, "Brother Mtume paid the price and sacrificed for our people." Barron also stated that Sunday morning's "On the Line" program is number one because "Brother Mtume breaks it down, keeps it real. He brings a credibility and integrity to the program."

As he accepted his award, Mtume spoke very movingly about his gratitude to Miles Davis for his musical influence on him. Mtume had asked Davis to write a letter of recommendation to help him get into Julliard. Stated Mtume, "He sat me down and said, 'If you never listen to anything else I say, don't go to Julliard. They will tell you the way you create your music doesn't match the books. Just trust what I tell you. You already hear the music.'"

Eloise Dicks, one of New York City's most indefatigable activists, was also awarded a proclamation. She was pivotal in the 4-year struggle to force the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture to hire a Black archivist instead of the white one they were insisting on. She was tireless as well in the 10-year battle to see to it that the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan was named respectfully.

Proclamations were also received by Dr. Manning Marable, Scholar, writer and Founding Director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University; mathematics Professor and author Gabriel A. Oyibo; Gwen Wilson, co-founder of the National Black United Front; Ollie McClean founding member of the United African Movement; Jesse Smith, long time community activist and soon-to-be attorney; and Jitu Weusi a dedicated educator and staunch activist since the 1950's.

Minister Kevin Muhammad, the East Coast representative of the Nation of Islam, concluded the formal part of the program with some inspiring remarks based on the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and statements by Marcus Garvey. The evening ended with a reception in the rotunda.