By Dee Jae Cox
Wade in the water…Wade in the water, children…
My name is Sarah. And I remember the day the soldiers came.
It was June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. The war was over, but we didn’t know what that meant for us. We had heard whispers. Folks said President Lincoln had signed something. Folks said freedom had been declared. But a whisper ain’t freedom when the field still calls your name before sunrise. —- Sweet Baby J’ai- The Story of Juneteenth
On Saturday June 20th, a celebration of Juneteenth history and ancestry lit up the theatre with music, spirituality and poignant stories. Produced by The Sunset Music and Education Foundation and hosted by the Revolution Stage Company, in Palm Springs, Ca. This event highlighted the crucial responsibility of preserving and honoring history, as well as celebrating the inclusion of diversity in our communities.
The event began with the sound of drums and affirmations of “ASE,” (pronounced Ah-shay,) a spiritual concept from the Yoruba religion culture of West Africa. It references the life force that connects all living things. Long before the ancestors could (or were permitted to) write down their history, verbal storytelling was how generations learned to communicate with one another.
That morning, the air was thick. Hot. Heavy. The kind of heat that makes even the trees stand still. Then we heard something. Boots. Horses. Wagons. A sound coming down the road that did not belong to the plantation.
People stopped working. Children got quiet. Somebody stepped out of a doorway. Somebody else held their breath. Then we saw them — Union soldiers. Blue coats. Riding into Galveston with dust rising behind them like the earth itself was trying to see what was coming.
—- Sweet Baby J’ai- The Story of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and culture. In days past, news was slow to spread, the losing Confederate soldiers were not eager to share the story of their loss. The returning Confederates therefore said nothing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had freed enslaved people in the South in 1863. Two years before the news arrived in Texas.
The line-up for this event kicked off with Palm Springs beloved singer, Keisha D, who brought the audience to their feet with her beautiful performance of “Stand Up.” Dr. Linda Oubre’ impressed on the importance of education as the key to liberation. Charles Huff, spoke on freedom and belonging within the LGBTQ+ community. Though his presentation appeared to be more male centric, it was inspirational. Visual artist Bernard Hoyes’ creative works gave insight to the importance of representation in all mediums.
Richard Turner’s jazz band and drummer Oneko, ensured that music filled the soul of everyone in attendance. Gennine Francis’, amazing rendition of “I’m Every Woman,” had the audience singing and dancing in the aisle. Yve Evans’ soulful voice, closed out the show with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Student performers Swara D’Souza (dance,) and Patan Huang, (piano performance,) were featured. Six middle-school students, were presented with musical instruments through the Foundation’s SMARTS Initiative, (Sharing Music, Accessing Resources, Transforming Students.) This program provides musical instruments, scholarships, mentorships and performance opportunities for Coachella Valley youth.
Award winning actress, singer, musician, Sweet Baby J’ai, the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Sunset Music and Education Foundation, was the heartbeat of this Juneteenth celebration. She is a walking, singing, talking, one-woman-show, who never fails to ensure that laughter, joy, music and pride is a constant with any event the organization produces.
They came carrying news that should have reached us long before. News that had been delayed. And I saw Black soldiers too. Men carrying rifles. Men standing tall. Men who understood in their bones that this was not just words on paper. But that day, what I remember most was the sound.
The stillness.
God’s gonna trouble the water…Then came the words.
General Gordon Granger had arrived with General Order Number 3. The soldiers read it out loud. They said the people who had been enslaved were free.
Free.
Sweet Baby J’ai- The Story of Juneteenth
For more information on the Sunset Music and Education Foundation Visit: www.sunsetmusic.org
