Good Times
Keeping Your Head Above Water
Two weekends ago, I was supposed to go to Chicago for the James Beard Awards, but I did not go because I couldn’t afford it. I was hoping that if I went to Chicago I would’ve gotten to see the Obama Center, not knowing that tickets were already sold out for opening weekend. Anyway, this past weekend I hosted my family here in Savannah for Juneteenth. There was eighteen of us. We wore matching t-shirts. We had a fish fry. We poured through old family photos. We even had a little Obama Center when we entered the Savannah African Art Museum. The tour guide told us about the Egungun. Egungun is a visible manifestation of the spirits of departed ancestors who periodically revisit the human community for remembrance, celebration and blessings. When I saw the one on display at the museum, I immediately thought of artist Nick Cave’s Sound Suits. Coincidentally, there was Nick Cave Sound Suits at the Obama Center.
Throughout the weekend, we watched video clips of Michelle Obama’s speech, musical performances and dance parties at the Obama Center. My mom suggested that the family would celebrate Juneteenth in Chicago next year. We want to see the Obama Center, but this year we had it at home.
Rest in Peace to our beloved ancestors Neida and Dan Perry.