Juneteenth in Phoenix
Phoenix is continuing to develop and Juneteenth is another example of the Black Culture of Phoenix showing up in major way. I was shocked to see so many Juneteenth events being promoted and could have attended at least 4-5 in downtown Phoenix alone. The first event I attended was at The Phoenix Art Museum. There were two food trucks (Southern Made AZ and Trash Panda Vegan) an open mic inside, the Barbie exhibit and Harlem Coffee co serving their delicious coffee beverages. From what I saw, there was a solid crowd and the individual performers were doing spoken word and killing the vocals.
The “Unorthodox: Silenced Visibility” exhibit by Melissa Mason was the second event that I attended. Melissa makes beautiful purses, hats and clothing that look like they could be in any high fashion magazine. But, this wasn’t a fashion show. I had a sneaking suspicion that it would be something special for the culture because of the opening date. This exhibit brought the full picture of who Melissa is together. We got to see the fabric, the finished pieces and then were immersed into her world. The immersion room is what really brings it all together. It is a homage to black culture with specific nods to her hometown, Chicago. The audio and visual aspects of the room make you feel like you are back in time. In a warm and comfortable space that allows you to bring your own memories to life, like sitting on the edge of your aunt’s bed looking at old pictures. I have never been to an event like this. Its not your commercial immersion with just projectors everywhere. This exhibit was a warm hug, allowing you to recall moments growing up that truly embody the personal experience of Black Culture. There is depth, variety and so much individuality in what it means to be a Black person in America. This exhibit successfully made me recall some of my favorite memories of growing up in the 90’s and there were many attendees who were brought to tears by the experience.
She pulled the thread that brings us together and that is what Juneteenth is supposed to do. Celebrate our culture and remind us that we are living a life beyond the wildest dreams of our ancestors. The freedom of expression and so many other amenities is worth celebrating all 365 days of the year. All while our existence is often seen as a threat. Our ability to thrive and create the culture continues to remind everyone that Blackness is not a monolith. You can be Black and so many other things as we have seen with the rise of social media. The pride, the nostalgia and the progress is something that felt celebrated at the Silenced Visibility exhibit. I look forward to seeing the next collection of work by Melissa Mason! You can follow Melissa on IG @thebrandunorthodox.
Now that Juneteenth is the newest national holiday so much of what we see for Juneteenth celebrations is a commercial perspective. Many organizations are posting because its the right thing to do. There was even a post by the a major Instagram account (113k followers) “How to Celebrate Juneteenth.” Posts like this tell me that there is no one of color in your organization, they let me know that the diversity statement on your site is just that, a statement to check a box. There is so much history in Juneteenth, there are a variety of black owned businesses and content creators who would love to collaborate for a relatable celebration of the culture. If you don’t know what to do, pay someone to help you!
