NEW AMHERST YOUTH ORGANIZATION CELEBRATES BLACK LIVES WITH JULY 4th EVENT

A small crowd of between 50 and 100 people gathered at the Mill River Recreation Area on July 4 to celebrate Black creators in the greater Amherst community. The event focused on collective appreciation for Black artistry, and encouraged local BIPOC to perform in whichever way they “feel celebrates us” according to their Instagram page. 

The event was organized by Youth of Black Lives Matter (YBLM), a group of high school students that formed in early June. High School student organizers were:  Monica Cage, Tabor Bowman, Petua Mukimba, Miguel Cruz, Aarti Lamberg, Serenity Perkins, Charlie Zucker, Y’vonna Stewart, and Khalila Lord-Arond, The supporting adult organizers are known as “The Auntie’s Crew,”  and they are the direct support group for YBLM: Tiffany Joseph, Janaya Collins, Tashina Bowman, Libby O’Flaherty, & Erika Loper.

YBLM aims to emphasize the ongoing importance of celebrating Black lives. They originally formed to protest against police brutality after the murder of George Floyd, as well as to bring light to racial injustices in our local community. 

Attendees were first guided through an affirmation and breathing exercise before watching performers sing, read poems, and voice their thoughts. Organizers passed out bubble wands and voter registration fliers to surrounding picnic tables. Organizers served food from Hazel’s Kitchen, Duro West African Cuisine, and Mi Tierra, restaurants in the Pioneer Valley that are owned by people of color. 

Petua Mukimba, a rising senior at Amherst Regional High School and member of YBLM, stressed the importance of recognizing Black joy in the face of oppression and injustice in America. 

“We can see that every large movement, [has] always been sparked by the power and pride of blackness that our country has tried to deny so many times.” she said. “So today, as we watch people dance and sing and read their stories, I feel like it shows the diversity and the wealth that black people and people of color share in this country, and this town, and in this community.” 

The Fourth of July should be celebrated with sensitivity, said Mukimba. “If you’re just going to ignore the struggle and the fact that the Fourth of July did not free everyone in this country, that’s just ignoring black voices, which is not what we need,” she said. 

Mukimba encouraged support of Black-owned businesses and donations to Black organizations, as well as promoting them on social media platforms. 

The event was MC’ed by DW McCraven, a supporter of YBLM and co-founder of a new business called Counter Culture Educator. The business aims to help creative leaders turn around the culture of their community one authentic relationship at a time. Through community engagement practices, artistic expression, self-care, and play”. said McCraven.

McCraven said “What I’m taking away is that the young people are motivated. As people who are older generations, we need to follow,” they said.

The celebration of culture and Black joy is fundamental, said McCraven. “What I appreciated about the organizers, [was] that they were showing people how to be in joy in spite of the hatred that this day comes from. Or, the lack of acknowledgement that this day comes with,” they said. 

They encourage participation from all facets of the community. McCraven said, “It’s not okay to not know about racism and structures that are there, but it’s okay to sit on the sidelines and celebrate people celebrating.” 

McCraven also emphasized the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses. “I don’t know of any black and queer-owned businesses in Amherst specifically,” said McCraven, referring to Counter Culture Educator. 

The celebration ended with a Bomba drum performance led by Kinga McCraven, in which attendees were encouraged to join and dance. 

Youth of BLM can be found on Instagram @youthofblm.

Counter Culture Educator can be found on Instagram @countercultureeducator.