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But before that, it’s party like “it’s 1999”! There is one word to summarize the headline, and the first sentence of this article, is CARNIVAL!!!

The European settlers brought this concept to the Columbus “New World” in the 1400’s, and the slaves took to it with gusto. Brazil, Guyana, the islands between Florida and Guianas in South America, (British, French and Dutch) have Carnivals in some form.

The slaves in particular saw themselves, as taught by padres and the like, as preparing themselves to walk the path of Christ for 40 days, a cleansing period before his ascension to heaven.

That period in Western Religious circles is called LENT, from March to April. Just before that starts, eat drink, procreate, “get on bad” (Trinidad and Tobago); for thereafter begins the 40 days of giving up “the nasty”.

In the Caribbean islands and South America, the freed slaves children became politicians and legislators, and thus turned Carnival into an explosion of music, dance, color, fashion, and wanton conjugations, without crossing the lines of sexual nudity.

It is a sigh of relief, and a cringe of agony when it is witnessed being executed, a la Derek Chauvin on George Floyd Jr.’s neck.

That foot pressure has killed many, re-arranged lives of survivors who live to tell of the relief and the horror. Remember “the middle passage”?

The 13 colonies under British rule in the 17^th Century, could no longer bear the pain of that foot on their neck. A plot was configured, and in collaboration with the French, the 1776 revolution became a landmark in the history of the “settlers”.

Funny, and with indelible documentation, the settlers put their “foot” on the neck of another group of humans, who have a multistage plot to liberate themselves, however there is no collective block like France willing to step in and coalesce.

It is 246 years since the revolution. This July 4^th, the celebration was voluminous, because for the past two years, the exuberance was stymied by a seemingly uncontrolled virus that was indiscriminate.

This figurative foot was descending upon the neck of mankind. An anecdote was found, and after 2 years the survivors in 2022 are celebrating. I had a front seat. This was in Columbia, Maryland, July 4^th, 2022

It is an infectious sound, that finds its way into your lymph nodes; your blood begins to curl, agitated, similar to the movement of an agitator in a wash machine; your feet begin to move, your waist finds a twist, elbows, hands, and you are now doing, believe it or not, the SALSA! Why?

Is it because you are of African descent? You look around and there they are, people of different colorations, even more expressive than you, convulsing, and screaming with excitement. What is it that generated all this? Immediately it came to me. It was not the horns, not the guitars, not the electric piano, it was the drums, the CONGAS.

Made popular in Cuba by the slaves who came from the Congo, the Bantu region in Africa, where they played the Makuta.

I am at THE PUBLIK PLAYHOUSE in Hyattsville Maryland. On stage is ANTIBALAS, an American Brooklyn New York group, famous for Afro Jazz. It is the slum music of Havana’s Congo slaves mixed with the European music of the Spanish Conquistadors.

Have you ever heard WATERMELLON MAN featuring Mongo Santamaria on congas? It is what elevated the conga instrument to world class recognition.

JUNE has youthful significance. For African Americans JUNETEENTH, has the rebirthing parlance for those associated with African blood, but denied it, with make-up and wigs. Ate fried chicken only at home and not in public. Danced ballet in public but prefer the electric slide and boogaloo.

All pretense was bagged at The Public Playhouse. Funk, jazz, salsa, were all bellowing; and I can see and hear, MONGO.

After 2 years of absence, the African American (AFRAM) festival returned to Baltimore. COVID-19 struck, and the world including us here in Baltimore, sought refuge in our homes,

African Americans could not celebrate their heritage in public, with dance, music, clothing, and food.

Then we heard the announcement, “YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!!!” It was almost reminiscent of the Jews crossing the Jordan river, as they escaped the hold of the Pharaohs while in Egypt as slaves.

2022 is the Bonus year! The President of the United States legitimized the celebration by making it a National Holiday. On June 19^th, 1865, slaves were declared FREE PEOPLE. (With nothing but their symbolic duffle bags) It took 157 years for the descendants of the slave owners to make a significant step towards parity. AFRAM and JUNETEENTH in simultaneous fervor!

Held in the biggest park in Baltimore, Druid Hill, and free to the public for two days. THECULTUREPAGE chroniclers’ day was Sunday June 19^th, 2022. The headline musical group was the OJAYS of Ohio.

Psychologists, on advising women say, they should feel a tingling, butterfly sensations, racing of the heart, sweats, toes warming, eyes watering, chests heaving, tongues that won’t say “hello!”

Some women have dated over 120 men, before Mr. 121 became, HIM!

I have no data as to what happened after the tsunamic experiences, if the 10’s went to 5’s or zeros.

The LOVE experience today is rather traumatic. People fall in love; some check the 10 categories, such as religion, finances, emotional compatibility, and years later prefer to be a different gender; or grow dislike for the closeness, hate meat, want to live in the wilderness, or prefer to be bi-sexual!

How about a husband finding video games and pot smoking more exciting than his wife, let alone children!

The STRAND Theater is now in Hamilton, in Baltimore MD. And is inviting the public to watch MARY KATE WILSON in LOVE.

It is a complex potpourri of our youth who are faced with technology, drugs, apathy, and just where to find love.

This Southeast Asian city is known to be the “city of a thousand smiles”.

Bangkok is a mix of East Indian and Chinese cultures, and quietly, some African mixtures. Over time the Chinese won out, making Buddhism the dominant religious belief, affecting and effecting the artform.

Among the avenues for mental peace and satisfaction is music, primarily approved by the aristocrats of the society. Using crude instruments, natives entertained that “crust” with devotion and reverence, at funerals and weddings.

Last week the Motor House Art Center in Baltimore, gave us a taste of Bangkok in its classical form.

And this is happens when people from such a city, take residence in what the world has come to know as “charm city USA”, Baltimore Maryland.

It’s the landmark case of 1896, where Plessy was charged for boarding a “whites only” rail car in New Orleans, Louisiana. Judge Ferguson found Plessy guilty.

The black man’s quest for freedom, to decide for himself, and not cow tow to white demands. In the United States, Emancipation via Abraham Lincoln was gaveled in 1863. Blacks having been deceived following Abe’s death, contributed to the money train, using their earnings, fighting for freedom legally, with little or no success.

Washington D.C. has a history of protests, assassination attempts, the burning of buildings, even attempts at overthrowing the government, as those of us living can attest to the Jan 6^th, 2021, assault on the Capitol, by those who did not agree with the election results.

In 1835, in D.C., almost 30 years before Plessy, DANIEL BELL, his wife MARY, his mother and children were denied freedom, by the slaveowner’s wife, even though Mr. Armstead (her husband) had signed all legal papers prior to his death, for the BELL’s to be free.

DANIEL had to work tirelessly at the Naval shipyard in Washington D.C. to pay white lawyers to gain freedom. Did the BELL family make it? Where are their descendants today? Do they know what happened to their several times great grandparents?

Time and technology have made it possible to know, for there is a film just made, entitled THE BELL AFFAIR. It premiered on June 2^nd at the Publick Playhouse, Cheverly MD. Through JOE’S MOVEMENT EMPORIUM, http://www.thecullturepage.com was there.

Zero! Synonymous with NOTHING! FRUITLESS! ROCK BOTTOM! What percentage of the human population has fallen into this bottomless pit and see no way out? (26%. Johns Hopkins Medicine). This sector, filled with despair, find happiness, living worthwhile, only when in the company of those who delight in mind altering paraphernalia.

DEPERSONALIZATION: an out of body experience. For some folks, inhaling helium from balloons (bought from the dollar store) or carpenter’s glue, getting high on the resin and hydrocarbon toluene, used in making glue.

Social scientists would categorize you, if you’re in that menu, as among those who will experience anxiety, have panic attacks, and may be in the overwhelming column, PTSD. (Post-Traumatic stress disorder).

Is your best friend a blanket, a cat, a dog, a fifth of Hennessey, a “blunt” or streaming television? (Depending on your economic status)

From all that I have read, and the people I have been exposed to, the key is to re-connect to the world of vibrancy. Admit that you are not well and find a wellness center.

Last week I was invited to one in East Baltimore, administered by someone who rose from “Zero to 10”. Here’s her story.

Young black college student, decided to hold weekend party while his parents were away. After a rollicking time, he and his buddies were cleaning up when they found a teenage white girl in one of the bedrooms face down in a pool of vomit.

Who is she? She had no purse, no I.D., but she was still breathing. It was 2 am. What to do? Call 911? Would the cops believe these black kids, a speck in this white upper-class neighborhood, did not drug her? Knew she was a minor yet allowed her in? Their fingerprints were all over her body; could they be accused of assault? Could this be the end of their college life as they had envisaged?

The young black “brothers” were about to do the AQUA BOOGIE (Parliament Funkadelic). Black men, “living in America” (James Brown). Walking that “fine line” of believability.

What did happen to those young black college students?

Even though I made up the story, the elements are real, and can be found in a new cinematic production carrying the name EMERGENCY.

You may come away with the pop-ups in your head, IS AMERICA IN AN EMERGENCY? IS THIS REALLY THE HOME OF THE BRAVE and LAND OF THE FREE?

Start practicing the Aqua Boogie,… some of us may need it, to get to “the promised land”. (Rev, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

The pandemic for some has promulgated a change of lifestyle. Many couples being forced see each other at home, has helped, but for others the closeness was overbearing. The affluent with more than one home, lived apart, using ZOOM, to communicate.

There has been “emotional distress” for “almost every individual” (Dr. Navodita Kumar, Clinical Psychologist).

I have never heard of autoeroticism, but I have of sexual dysfunction. These two conditions became targets for clinicians here lately.

This brings attention to consider the least expensive manner for one to “feel good”, perhaps find love and experience happiness?

“FOOD!” I looked around and saw the increase of “heavy weights”. Not good, the Dopamine chemical stretched waistlines. I will not comment on the phenomenal increase in the consumption of legal drugs and alcohol.

People are looking for that “cuddle hormone”. Cats and dogs as pets are competing with walkers and bicyclists for road space. Wow! Pet owners waved as I gave them space while driving by.

Have you ever been part of a choir? Aha! It’s music. If you disagree, attend an African American ceremony whether it be church or wedding. It’s an overwhelming experience. Pocket books are slung on shoulders, hands are in the air, feet are in rhythm, eyes are closed, and “oxytocin” is in control.

ROCHELLE RICE is not an African American but believe or not she is black and was raised in the United Kingdom. She is on a mission to enable women to find “love and happiness” despite “whatever!”. Sounds familiar?

I went to see her show at JOE’s MOVEMENT in Mount Rainier MD. To use a popular device robot’s statement, “here’s what I found”….

Coming out of the pandemic, amidst an economic and health slump combined, African Americans in Baltimore are trying to laugh again.

Although the 68-year-old black owned and operated theatre, never closed, it is welcoming to see seats being filled, and the sound of cheers heard aloud.

THE BUTLER DID IT AGAIN, is currently being staged at the Arena; and of special interest, the cast is primarily of senior citizens. This, is a push to show that “age is just a number”.

I saw this on the plays’ third night, which makes it a work in progress, that will only get better before its end on May 8^th, 2022.

Support Black Theatre.

If you are born other than white, it has been drummed in your head from all angles, “get an education”, for this makes you, “competitive”.

You probably studied history, absorbed the horror of the slave trade, and perhaps attended schools with those of the white race.

If you have lived and travelled in various parts of the world, you’ve come face to face with the evolution of the negro, from black to Afro-American, Afro Caribbean, Afro whatever, once you acknowledged “I have original, African/black blood in me”.

As you grew up, you began to see the growth of the hybrids, the mix-breeds, and the better options they received because of the “one drop blood” rule in reverse.

Were you shocked when you found out that Ghanian black revolutionary Kwame Nkrumah was married to an Arab from Egypt (she looked white to me)? How about African American Justice Clarence Thomas, and his marital alliance, who is deeply associated with the Trump administration, that looked for token “negroes” like Dr. Benjamin Carson to suppress negroes, blacks, African Americans and some of the hybrids, also known as “people of color”.

In 2011, an African American professor wrote a play entitled STICK FLY. The leading character is a budding female black entomologist. (Taylor). If one tries to understand why such a name, one would be lost on the subterranean themes therein.

Privileged negroes, who were raised in the privileged community of Martha’s Vineyard in the revolutionary state of Massachusetts. (Boston Tea Party) This family of the “Jack and Jill” crème de la crème” of higher education separates, was as sexually wanton as the “ghetto” kid who graduated from high school with a middle school education.

The theory is that, that the negro when pushed to the standard of an “Ivy leaguer”, will, upon graduation and assimilation, have a disdain for what he came from, and thus uphold and promulgate those taught precepts to the admiration of his/her white professors.

The moral ineptitude was practiced in the bedroom, behind close doors.

This play should be studied and analyzed in sociology classes in colleges and universities, when the hormonal experimentation is at its peak.

I saw this play last week at the CLARICE CENTER, university of Maryland, Adelphi.

I came out bruised. There were many “white folk” in the audience, who I am sure felt the insults, and know what it is like to be shot dead and resurrected, for they walked out of the theatre alive!

For us Negroes, Blacks, African Americans, “get an education”, is crucial, but parse and analyze the ingredients, there could be arsenic subtly hidden in it somewhere.

What denominations are they placed in? Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal? Blacks, African Americans fall into all the aforementioned categories; and believe it or not, the slave trade is responsible.

No need for me to rehash the Atlantic Slave Trade, Africans singing out to God to save their lives. The slave owner at times was also the Sunday morning preacher. I call it the double enslavement: in the field, and in the church.

In a white Baptist church, the congregation looks tired when it sings, not nearly the same as in a black Baptist church. Why? The remnants of those horrible days and nights crossing the Atlantic, with chains on their feet and hands, have followed the succeeding generations to today.

Most African Americans in church, can be heard shouting out loud, MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE! Based on Psalm 100. “Come before his presence with singing”.

This singing enabled many slaves to look beyond the running blood, and large wounds inflicted upon their bodies, as they crossed the Ocean, to the so-called New World.

It was at the Meyerhoff Concert Hall in downtown Baltimore MD., that I had a look and feel of the power of the Gospel. It was a three-hour concert, where patrons wanted to stand rather than sit. Where part of the musical impact turned the audience into a congregation with raised hands, and shouts along with whispers of praise. The Meyerhoff felt like a slave ship (HOPE), [one of the American ships that brought slaves to Rhode Island]. Black bodies swaying with eyes closed, clenched fists, and voices trying to sing in unison with the choir leaders, FRED HAMMOND and HEZEKIAH WALKER.