The “Black Present & Presence” program illustrated how Black culture permeates all aspects of everyday life in America. The films, speakers, and audience members brought to light the diverse cultural customs and standards that have their roots in the Black community and have impacted American culture as a whole. The program’s goals were to increase understanding of the contributions Black culture has made to American culture and to offer a forum for discussion on topics pertaining to Black identity, history, and representation. During the event, eminent professors and authorities in Black studies discussed their personal stories, assessments, and research discoveries. A variety of authors and titles were cited by the speakers, including Deborah Gray White’s Freedom on My Mind, Mia Bay’s To Tell the Truth Freely, and Waldo E. Martin Jr. ‘s The Mind of Fredrick Douglass, among others. To further explain the numerous subjects covered during the seminar, they also used multimedia resources like movies, music, and visual arts. The panelists and audience members had a place to talk, ask questions, and share their thoughts during the presentation. The films, lecturers, and attendees urged the audience to acknowledge and cherish the contributions of Black culture while showcasing its width and complexity. The event emphasized the significance of creating spaces and recognizing Black cultural practices and knowledge while also raising significant issues regarding how Black people are treated in America.

One of the films shown during the program was Man, LaQuan McDonald, Sixteen Shots, a documentary that explores the police shooting of LaQuan McDonald in Chicago and the subsequent cover-up by the police department. The film highlights the systemic racism and brutality that Black people face in the United States and raises questions about the value of Black lives in American society. During the program, one of the speakers, Chauncey, shared his personal experiences and reflections on the impact of police violence on the Black community. He expressed his frustration and anger at the lack of justice for victims like LaQuan McDonald, Mike Brown, and Trayvon Martin. Chauncey’s comments resonated with the audience, many of whom had also experienced the trauma and pain of racism and police brutality.

The main question posed by the program was, “How do we recognize and value Black culture in America?” The speakers and participants explored this question by examining the different ways that Black culture has shaped American culture, such as the use of Black English in popular expressions and the influence of the “Ring Shout” in various musical genres. The program also highlighted the importance of community-building practices among enslaved Africans and their descendants, such as organized group activities within institutions like the military. Through the program, the speakers and participants emphasized the need to develop spaces and recognition for Black cultural practices and knowledge. They stressed that Black culture should not be viewed as a separate or marginalized entity but should be recognized as an integral part of American culture. The program challenged the audience to confront their biases and assumptions about Black people and their culture and to engage in a more nuanced and respectful dialogue about these issues. The events described in Chapter 7 of Freedom on My Mind by Deborah Gray White, “Confrontations in Bleeding Kansas and the Courts” bear similarities to the themes addressed in the book “Freedom on My Mind” in terms of systemic denial of resources of Black individuals. In both cases, the lack of access to necessary resources such as education and political power resulted in significant disparities and injustices. 

Another key concept addressed in the program was the idea of community building and its importance in Black culture and history. This was highlighted through discussions of the various ways in which enslaved Africans organized themselves and created community despite the oppressive conditions they were subjected to. One example was the development of secret societies, such as the Free African Society in Philadelphia, which served as a source of support, protection, and empowerment for Black people. Additionally, we explored the significance of group activities such as the “Ring Shout,” a religious dance performed by enslaved Africans in which participants formed a circle and moved in a counterclockwise direction while clapping and singing spirituals. The Ring Shout not only served as a form of worship but also as a means of community-building and resistance, allowing enslaved Africans to maintain their cultural traditions and connect with one another despite the obstacles they faced. 

Moreover, the program emphasized the importance of recognizing and preserving Black cultural practices and knowledge. This was particularly evident in the discussions of Black English, a linguistic practice that has been marginalized and stigmatized but is nevertheless a fundamental aspect of Black culture and identity. Panelists discussed the ways in which Black English has been appropriated by mainstream culture, with phrases like “woke” and “on fleek” becoming ubiquitous in popular discourse despite their origins in Black English. However, this appropriation often involves the erasure of the language’s Black roots, which can contribute to the erasure of Black culture more broadly. Thus, the program emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing Black English as a legitimate linguistic practice and cultural artifact. Throughout the program, participants were encouraged to engage in dialogue and reflection on the issues discussed, and the panelists were responsive to audience questions and comments. One particularly poignant moment came during the screening of the film “Man, LaQuan McDonald, sixteen shots,” which explores the fatal shooting of LaQuan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke. The film features interviews with McDonald’s family and friends, as well as community activists and organizers, and highlights the systemic racism and police violence that disproportionately affect Black communities. Following the screening, audience members were invited to share their thoughts and feelings about the film, and many expressed sadness, anger, and frustration at the injustices depicted. The film sparked a powerful conversation about the need for systemic change and the ways in which Black communities have been targeted and mistreated by law enforcement.

Overall, the “Black Present & Presence” program was a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of Black culture and history. By highlighting the ubiquity of Black culture in everyday American life and the resilience and creativity of Black people in the face of oppression, the program challenged attendees to rethink their assumptions about race and identity. Through engaging with a diverse range of speakers, films, and discussions, participants were able to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of Black history and culture and to reflect on their own roles in promoting justice and equality. As the program emphasized, recognition and celebration of Black culture and history is not only important for the preservation of these practices and knowledge, but also for the building of a more just and equitable society.

References

In class source: White, Deborah G., et al Freedom On My Mind

External Source: “Physiological and Psychological Impact of Racism and Discrimination for African-Americans” American Psychological Association

https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/racism-stress