Culture Currents

Wanda Sabir serves it up for December 2020, from reflecting on the imposed-by-pandemic isolation and remembering time before mask-wearing, to expanded awareness of unhoused people and people passing out food, to upcoming personal care gatherings, poetry, films, and plenty of comedy to lift us into the laughter we so much need.

Creative must create. The Covid-19 has hurt many people’s ability to remain employed, but Paul Tillman Smith leaped right over that drum set and, with a vibrant team of musicians, created joy and profits from the Bay Area Jazz Society Presents the ‘Higher Power Project’ CD, which will go into a special fund to help musicians and artists of all ages.

Today at 1:30 p.m. at 49 Kiska Road in San Francisco’s Bayview Hunter Point, the acclaimed Curtis Family Cnotes will team up with Mother Brown’s Dining Room in a unique partnership providing free food and song to support the city’s COVID-19 testing and prevention efforts.

Nube Brown reads aloud the poem 'Amerikka' by Michael Philpot, CCI-FL.

Nube Brown reads aloud the poem 'Don't Let The Die in Vain' by Corey J. Elder, Folsom State Prison.

As we transition between the trials and traumas of 2020 into the possibilities of hope and inspiration for 2021, Baba Jahahara remembers our new ancestors with honor, respect and love, notes the challenges ahead to infuse renewed energies into the call for reparations, Mother Earth love, freedom for our Political Prisoners and the new Biden-Harris administration’s debt to those who’s votes made the nightmare escape possible.

HOPE is the thread that tenaciously weaves its way through the chaos and darkness to infuse we humans with connection, courage and creativity to walk the storm and greet the buds emerging from twigs in spring. HOPE is the validation of our humanity.

The Ancestors hold the hearts of their children as the struggle continues to break the chains of bondage in our modern reality of feet on the earth of the past. Calling in the courage and honor of the risen Ancestors to the Slave Rebellion Reenactment seals the bond of love and self-determination in those who will be liberated.

Dr. Frederick Haynes III, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, widely known for its focus on social, economic, gender, food and environmental justice, is hosting the 4th Annual King Teach-In with a panel featuring San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who advocates deliberately ending the disparities that plague the Black community.

Wanda Sabir always brings the best treats to the party and this new year 2021 is no different. Preluding with the celebrations and remembrances in Kwanzaa and then deftly moving along to delicacies of movies, art, poetry and jazz, we are filled with satisfied contentment.

As tortuous as the U.S. prison system is to its residents, it is criminally so to the children of incarcerated parents, and their caretakers. Herein lies a wealth of inspiring and uplifting ways to proactively heal the daily wounds of parenting, family unity and staying human while incarcerated.

Emerging through the other side of the first month of 2021, Baba Jahahara Amen-RA Alkerbulan-Ma’at honors those transitioning to the realm of the Ancestors while bringing us into February and all that is to be appreciated, learned and embraced as the path of the movement demands. Revolutionary Love and Reparations Now!

Wanda Sabir opens the door to the abundance of February with the gifts of Black History Month, observations on today’s Jim Crow, stories and people we may not know about like Adam David Miller (A.D.) and young Amanda Gorman, who’s poem, “The Hill We Climb,” breathed hope and vitality into a weary country at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Art in all forms has always been a voice in movements for change and has illuminated the essence of the pain and struggle. In launching the new monthly poetry column, SF poet laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin shares his penned voice in powerful, revolutionary elegance to the struggle.

Downtown Oakland, Calif. – Managing Editor Nube Brown speaks with renowned gallerist and arts and community advocate Joyce Gordon on growing up in Berkeley, how she got Joyce Gordon Gallery started, the importance of the youth and the future of her art space.

Dr. Caesar Churchwell now transitioning to the Ancestors, leaves his legacy of love and service to the people of his community, and like the pebble dropped into the water, ripples far, touching those he never knew.

W.E.B. Du Bois’ book ,“Black Reconstruction in America”, reviewed by Monica Hill, tells the historical truths, which were warped and twisted from the beginning when told by the white settler and taught in the schools as part of the strategic plan to solidify the permanence of slavery on which to build the capitalist imperial regime.

There’s a ‘tude’ that often comes with cops “responding” to a neighborhood complaint like vandalism or whatever, that reads, ‘there’s one, take him, game over, next? . . .’ – another Black man dead. Another father, husband, brother, son, uncle murdered. Cell phone looked like a gun, uh huh – makes sense since guns and cell phones are pretty much interchangeable with police, DAs and police unions. Another day . . . of pain and suffering for our communities. Stephon Clark – “He didn’t have to die.”

Cousin Mell Monroe lovingly remembers San Francisco’s beloved icon in red, Rochelle Metcalfe, who left no stone unturned in her vibrant exploration, discovery and fully lived life. Rochelle Metcalfe’s loving legacy stands as an iconic pillar in San Francisco’s herstory. Rest In Peace and Power, Rochelle Metcalfe.

Through Black labor, Black love, Black life and Black presence, Wanda Sabir presents jewels for honoring, learning, enjoying and discovering, by enticing our exploration in this month of Women’s History Day, International Women’s History Month, the still unfolding of story of Malcom X and struggle for liberation and self-determination through writers like Walter Mosley, theater from Oakland Theater Project, a cross-country experience with the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company and more.