This is What Freedom Looks Like: A Juneteenth Photo Essay
Photos by Azella Gardens. This past Sunday, Philly held its annual Juneteenth parade in West Philly.
Philly’s African Drum Tradition as Resistance and Ritual
African drum and dance are the heart of Black Music Philadelphia – from ‘tangin’ at block parties to the drum circles at Malcolm X Park. They are acts of memory and resistance, carrying the spirit of the ancestors into the present and the future. African drumming is one of humanity’s oldest technologies. It has been a tool of communication, healing, and ceremony for tens of thousands of years. Rhythms from Mali, Ghana, Senegal, and beyond endured in the forced crossings of the Middle Passage.
Juneteenth: Love & Liberty
As many honor and celebrate Juneteenth, Kim Russell’s, “Juneteenth: Love & Liberty,” challenges Independence Day narratives. Explore the profound celebration of Black liberation and freedom, reflecting on historical complexities. Russell’s words echo the unapologetic spirit of Juneteenth, inviting you to partake in a jubilee that transcends timelines and honors the audacity of Black joy.
