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If ever there was a doubt in someone's mind as to how profound, exciting,
and diverse black culture is in N.Y.C., then they have never been to
the annual International African Arts Festival. It is at this festival
where the beauty of blackness is displayed through display shops, dance,
visual arts and so much more. When I arrived at Boys and Girls High
School, the first thing that caught my eye was the beautiful array of
colored clothing that surrounded me. Deep purples and royal blues trimmed
in gold. Symmetric patterns of black and green against bold yellows
and bright oranges. The African clothing was simply lovely. It immediately
forced me to reflect on the history of my ancestors, strong brilliant
Africans.
 The
African art was just as impressive. Beautiful wooden facemasks and statues
of animals adorned several tents. These admirable pieces of art were complemented
by paintings which portray powerful African-American figures in history.
These pieces showed how black culture is enriched with the gifts and beauty
of visual arts. These art pieces however are not the limit as to how creative
the people who contributed to the festival were. I was delighted by several
performances from the Marie Brooks Pan-Caribbean Dance Company. This company
consists of thirteen beautifully diverse women who represent countries
such as Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Ghana and Jamaica. These girls'
passionate dances were complimented by their vibrant personalities and
positive attitudes. This company, which is directed and organized by Marie
Brooks, truly understands the significance and power of dance. As one
dancer put it, "in order to be a true dancer one must be physically and
spiritually intertwined". The dancers of the Marie Brooks' company believe
that dancing involves much more than the use of someone's body but also
utilizes a person's mind and spirit. One particular piece called Hope
depicted the struggle of slaves coming on the boat to America. The dancers'
facial expressions, exaggerated movements of the body and the rhythmic
music, my mind is immediately transported to the painful days of slavery.
Through dance these girls hope to make changes in their community, the
communities of others, and possibly the world. When exposed to a group
of remarkably insightful and powerful women such as these, one can only
stare in awe.
 Don't
think for a moment that this festival was all fun and games. There were
several organizations who were there to present several important social
issues. Al-Awda is an organization dedicated to supporting the rights
of Palestinians in the Israeli-Palestine conflict. This is NOT an anti
Semitic group since the representative of the group Anne Rettenburg
is Jewish. Al-Awda feels that that U.S puts a skewed view on the conflict
in the Middle East which makes Palestine look like the enemy, Al Awda
wants to educate the public on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from
a Palestinian perspective. I also met Roger Wareham, a man who is recruiting
people for a National Rally to demand reparations at Washington D.C.
He feels that African Americans were never paid for the centuries of
pain and abuse that this country gave them. Not only that, but he pointed
out that several other groups were given reparations such as Native
Americans, Japanese Americans and Jewish Holocaust victims.
There were also representatives from the popular non-profit organization
called Truth.com. Their purpose is to discourage people from smoking
cigarettes by letting them know all the negative repercussions and long
term effects of smoking. I even got a glimpse of an international magazine
called Diaspora.This is a magazine that has plenty of information on
issues concerning blacks globally. This event was more than just a festival.
It was a place where blacks demonstrated that they were creative, smart,
beautiful, and powerful people. I strongly advise people of all colors,
nationalities and religions to explore black culture by going to the
annual International African Arts Festival.
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