In this piece, I want to share a few ideas and some of my recent experiences with Black History Month. February in Canada and in America is Black History month. Now that I live in Canada reminding myself that October is not our month is an initial adjustment I make.
Following on the heels of MLK day Jan 20th, this month has had me experience a number of momentous events. And whilst I celebrate the month for Black achievement in the past, a sense of a Black future, I also want to turn my attention to a Black now.
Same Old
Recently a Black man Mr. Nembhard was fatally shot and killed by police in Waterloo, Ontario. This tragedy appears to have resulted in 2 understandings around de-escalation. Please see the article below. The community’s understanding of de-escalation is – individuals in a state of distress are able to arrive at a calmer more regulated emotional place in safety. Accessing social support as necessary to engage well with others. For police – de-escalation is for individuals to comply with their demands. When in a mental health crisis, I can imagine that compliance is a far distant possibility.
For me Black History Month is about celebrating and recognising those who came before. Their achievements set against a similarly challenged past seem ever more miraculous. There is also a Black Future of seeing what life looks like beyond 2030. There is also a Black Now. A reality of living whilst Black that presents risk and reward often in unequal measures.
Shoulda Been
The event I attended to ring in Black History month, was Josh Turner’s Hip Hop inspired dance event. ‘The Uncomfortable Project’ is an unbelievable dance extravaganza. Josh Turner has used the artistic medium of Hip Hop to be a reflective and at times unbearably uncomfortable experience.
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The performance has a dance troupe challenge perception and appreciation of the art form. 3 moments stood out for me as I watched the artists perform body popping, breakdance and choregraphed moves to Hip Hop’s offerings from the past and now.
The first was a performance that featured 3 dancers that as the scene unfurled left one solitary figure performing alone. This piece knocked on my understanding of unity and togetherness hard. This routine was in stark contrast to pieces that had come before. They danced on their own which felt uncomfortable to watch. The music for this section of the performance featured homophobic language that featured in songs I knew well and had danced to in the past. Back then I was unwilling to acknowledge the harm the words and music cast against LGBTQI2S+ communities.
The 2nd scene that hit home was Josh offering us an insight to a performance he was involved with where his character was identified by police officers as a person of interest. I recognised many elements of the scene, the flashing lights. The confusion. The apprehension of what might happen next. Mr. Nembhard’s story a recent reminder of a Black Now that The Uncomfortable Project deliberately lead us to recognise.
The 3rd scene was a poem about the often asked of bodies of culture, the question of ‘No but where are you really from?’ The poet offered their understanding of the question’s framing and how it stripped them of their personhood and right to live amongst. What was laughingly familiar was the poet’s ability to introspect himself and then invite the audience to imagine a challenging rebuttal to the idea of you don’t belong!
I would love for ‘The Uncomfortable Project’ to receive international acclaim and gain the opportunity to tour all of Turtle Island. The project has the power to instruct and empower.
Black & Bold: Art Exhibition
Students at McMaster University involved with the Black Student Success Centre (BSSC) filled a gallery space at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, with their art. Pieces ranged from Photo’s, Paintings, Sculpture, Poems and Film. The artists were on hand to discuss their work. The piece that stole the show for me was a large photo of a sea scene pictured above of the Atlantic from Namibia’s coastline. There was something about recognising these young artists and their courage to step aside their university work. To share their artistic findings for the general public. A Black Now I was able to be witness.
Whiskey and Reggae
I had heard about Island Queens Restaurant from my wife and her friend the indomitable Lohifa @lo_didthat. I was to visit with the artist Israel Crooks @israelcrooks who is from Jamaica. More could be said about this phenomenal artist. Due to a piece of work he was working on he was unable to join me. So I ventured to the restaurant on my own. As a solo visitor, I was able to soak in the atmosphere of the place.
The musicians were talented and I enjoyed how the three filled both the air and time with their renditions of reggae tracks. But it was the food that spoke to me the most. This Black Now wowed me. The Cornbread was possibly the best I had ever tasted. Moist, sweet and delicately spiced with a hint of what may have been rosemary. What followed after the cornbread were 6 pieces of sweet, sticky, spicy chicken wings. I felt the menu could have stopped here. But what came next was a Caribbean take on steak, with whiskey infused pimento and avocado mashed potato. Convincing me to try and make at home. The feast was brought to a close with an apple crumble with plantain. A culinary feat that had me waddle out of the restaurant. I don’t waddle well.
The John C. Holland Awards
The last Black History Month event I attended was the John C. Holland Awards evening. The awards ceremony was held at Liuna Station Banquet Hall in Hamilton, and was my 2nd time attending the event.
99 people were nominated to receive an award for their outstanding contribution to life in and around Hamilton. For me it is a zenith experience for nominees to receive an award at this incredible Black focused event.
Imagine: 99 Black Nominees feeling this elated and proud. With a room filled with admiring faces…
The John C. Holland Awards. This image is a place holder to invite you to imagine…
A wonderful spectacle of Black business persons, politicians, community leaders, social media influencers and a great many members from Hamilton’s Black community attended. To be amongst a community of people celebrating Black achievement in our now was mind-blowingly positive. Many nominees were either Gen Z or Gen Alpha. One of my son’s was nominated for an award. Highlighting the fact that a fantastic Black Future is always present.
Black History Month is usually a 28 day experience of remembrance of the numerous contributions Black people have brought to life on Turtle Island. This year 29 days of activity were filled with activity. Notably the works of Ernest Crim III hosted 29 facts about Black history that are not taught at school.
A month to observe Black History offers little consolation to an always present lie of white body supremacy and the many inequalities that Black people daily meet. A year of Black celebration of achievement, could begin on MLK jr day and end on the last day of Kwanza. 345 days might give enough time to recognise the contributions of the African Diaspora to our modern lives globally. Then the rush to pack everything in to one 28/29 day month wouldn’t be as frenetic!
Reverend John C. Holland and the awards that highlight his name, offer a reprieve and an opportunity to gather as one people and celebrate in style!
Resources
As mentioned above Mr. Nembhard lost his life due to police not recognising a mental health crisis and using guns to de-escalate a situation. Waterloo Shooting explores this story.
The CBC article offers an overview of the Uncomfortable Project. What visitors of Theatre Aquarius would have witnessed whilst interacting with the performance. I missed The Uncomfortable Project last year and made sure that I was part of the audience this year! Glad that the title lived up to it’s premise. Definitely a conversation starter.
His Saturn Return is simply a delight. Daring and imaginative as a story. This Afro Futuristic piece places challenge alongside discovery and overcoming avarice to arrive at humility for the protagonist.
The Blog on Black History Month presents an expansive range of information related to events taking place in February. The author also highlights the efforts of Dr. Jean Augustine to have Black History month recognised in Canada.
The Sounds True podcast: three wise men offer an interpretation of the monster within us projection. Thrown out against Black Bodies of culture. Whilst this conversation was recorded last year the relevance I suspect will be long lasting.
Waterloo Shooting
The Uncomfortable Project Desmond Brown – Josh Turner
His Saturn Return The Stoop Podcast
Black History Month Blog by Alliance for Healthier Communities
Sounds True Podcast 3 Black Men with Tami Simon interviewing Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, Resmaa Menakem and Orland Bishop
Images
Cover Image Equity Network
Police Car Lights photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Buddy Wave photo by SJ Objio on Unsplash
Namibian Waves Photo of photo by M. Opoku-Forfieh
STicky Spicy Sweet Chicken wings photo by M. Opoku-Forfieh
Celebration by De’von wellesley on Unsplash
Michael Forfieh Counselling 