Given the events of 2020, there’s no better year to have a month-long festival centered on black identity. The Black Consciousness Festival is spearheaded by a number of Trinbagonian activists across varying fields. The goal is to boost the awareness of pride, power and hereditary practices of the African diaspora.
The Caribbean is no stranger to black consciousness movements. Just a century ago, Marcus Garvey’s speeches were inspiring black pride in people all over the world; but it’s always more than just an intellectual discussion. Black people continue to battle for space through creativity and culture. While Garvey helped us to go back to our roots, Aimé Césaire was leading the cultural movement of negritude across the francophone Caribbean in the 1930s. Along with other writers, Césaire wrote poems which revived pride in African identity.
The virtual festival points us to the power of culture and identity via events such as the “Dance of the Orishas Workshop”, “DJs in D’ Dance” and “Lyrics to Make a Politician Cringe – The Power of Black Music”. From Bob Marley to Chronixx, Afro-Caribbean people have sung (and continue to sing) their way through oppression and racism. Music has always been the simultaneous healing balm and protest tool in the region. Reggae, calypso and steelpan have all been born out of this struggle and continue to be embedded in the contemporary Caribbean music scene. Our music calls for black emancipation through unity. This ideal is represented in the powerful definition used by the festival for black consciousness, as defined by South African freedom fighter, Steve Biko:
“Black Consciousness is, in essence, the realization by the black man of the need to rally together with his brothers around the cause of their oppression – the blackness of their skin and to operate as a group in order to rid themselves of the shackles that bind them to perpetual servitude.”
In solidarity with the efforts of this festival, we have compiled a list of songs released in 2020 that may help you to rally together with your brothers:
1. “Blacka” – Coutain feat. 80sede & Freetown Collective
Against a background of protests in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year, Coutain reminds us “to stand strong and never run from evil”. A song of solidarity to remind black people to never lose hope. Who doesn’t need some hope this year?
2. “Thy Will” – Lila Iké
Not the obvious choice, but the message is embedded in the lyrics. Iké gives us a head bobbing melody while singing of God’s sovereignty and the evil she sees in the world. She gives us the solution – togetherness – and issues a call for liberation: “My people rise / ‘memba now we black and we strong / And when we’re one / This is how we’ll overcome”.
3. “Black Liberation” – Olatunji & Good Times Ahead
Olatunji has been known to infuse African-inspired riddims with his music so this is not surprising. His chants to “get up and move” makes the listener want to dance while pondering on his thought-provoking visuals and lyrics.
4. “Unity” – Buju Banton
The call to unity in the rhythmic drums and percussion awakens your spirit before words can be sung. It sounds like your African ancestors calling their descendants to join in the fight; because no one can stop us if we’re truly unified, right?
5. “One World, One Prayer” – The Wailers feat. Skip Marley, Farruko, Shaggy & Cedella Marley
Here we have a combination of artists in a song of togetherness fitting of Bob Marley’s legacy. In a melody reminiscent of Marley’s classic, “One Love”, Spanish and English voices join to call the world to oneness despite our differences. This is a song to calm you throughout the chaos happening around us. The melody and lyrics will soothe your troubles and encourage your choice to view the world with love.
In this generation’s road to black consciousness and pride, unity is key. If you’re looking for some stimulating discussion, check out theblackconsciousnessfestival.com or @theblackconsciousnessfestival on Instagram to join in the conversation!
