by orionontv | Jun 6, 2024 | Regional News
Oakland County’s Juneteenth Event Spotlights Underground Railroad
Post Date:06/06/2024 1:18 PM
- Oakland County has four official Underground Railroad sites: Birmingham, Farmington, Royal Oak, and Southfield with a local historian advocating for a fifth in Pontiac.
- Juneteenth festivities are open to the public and will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 near the south entrance of the Oakland County Circuit Court building at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac.
- Speakers include County Executive Dave Coulter, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Oakland County Commissioners Angela Powell, Yolanda Smith-Charles, and Linnie Taylor.
Pontiac, Mich. – The Underground Railroad, a secret network of people and safe places used by enslaved Black people to escape to freedom, is the focus of Oakland County’s second annual Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 12 on the south side of the county’s Circuit Court building in Pontiac.
The public and news media are invited to attend the ceremony, which will culminate in the raising of the Juneteenth flag, to mark the official end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865.
Carol Bacak-Egbo, historian for Oakland County Parks and Recreation, will weave together the story of the Parker family who escaped slavery from Wood County, Va. They used the Underground Railroad to make the dangerous trek to freedom, concluding in Pontiac. The Parkers were founding members of the Newman African Methodist Episcopal Church and are buried in unmarked graves in Oak Hill Cemetery, which is highlighted on a keepsake card featuring the family’s story that will be handed out during the event.
“Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the struggle for freedom and equality, and this year’s celebration in Oakland County will highlight the courageous efforts of the Underground Railroad, including its significant stops within our community,” County Executive Dave Coulter said. “Together, we honor the legacy of those who sought liberty and those who aided in their journey to freedom.”
Joining Coulter during the festivities will be Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; Oakland County Commissioners Angela Powell, Yolanda Smith-Charles, and Linnie Taylor; Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Harry Weaver; and Sheriff’s Office Capt. Melissa McClellan.
“It’s an honor to once again be part of the county’s celebration of our community, culture, history and dedication to moving forward,” Powell said. “Juneteenth is a new holiday for some, and I look forward to taking part in an event that recognizes the experiences that form Oakland County and create a vibrant place to call home.”
Oakland County has four sites that are part of the National Parks Service’s “Network to Freedom,” which features fully-documented historic locations connected to the Underground Railroad:
- Abolitionist Elijah S. Fish and freedom-seeker George B. Taylor burial sites at Greenwood Cemetery in Birmingham
- Abolitionist Nathan Power burial site at the Quaker Cemetery in Farmington
- Freedom-seekers Henry and Elizabeth Hamer’s final resting place in Royal Oak Cemetery
- Southfield Reformed Presbyterian Church, which was committed to the anti-slavery cause, abolitionism, and aiding formerly enslaved persons on their journey to Canada
Bacak-Egbo is working with the Oakland History Center and other local historians to nominate Pontiac’s Oak Hill Cemetery to be the fifth Oakland County “Network to Freedom” location.
New this year, donations may be dropped off to support Forgotten Harvest to assist in providing families in our local community with fresh and nutritious food free of charge. Items include nutritious snacks – dried fruits, nuts, trail mix and granola bars, pasta, canned soup, peanut butter, and more. A full listing can be found on our website.
Entertainers will include a choir, drummers and dancers, and storytellers. Attendees can experience diverse and sumptuous flavors from around the world with food trucks including Fork in Nigeria, Seoul Rolls on the Go, and Flavors of Jamaica.
Oakland County’s Juneteenth event will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on June 12 by the south entrance of the court building at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. The formal program begins at noon. Parking is available in the lot off County Center Drive East between the courthouse and Telegraph.
by orionontv | Jun 6, 2024 | Entertainment, Feature Writers, Music, Pop Culture
Country and rap are two genres that, on the surface, seem antithetical to each other. However, up-and-coming country-rap artist Shaboozey begs to differ. Born Collins Chibueze, Shaboozey has been making a name for himself in the music scene for over five years now, blowing up with the song “Start a Riot” with DUCKWRTH off the “Into the Spiderverse” soundtrack.
During 2024, Shaboozey skyrocketed into mainstream success when he appeared twice on Beyonce’s newest full-length album, “Cowboy Carter.” The songs “Spaghettii” and “Sweet | Honey | Buckiin’” give a look into Shaboozey’s prowess.
Beyonce and Shaboozey’s hip-hop infused country stylings have thrown some people off, it isolates the two battling demographics in the major pop music zeitgeist. Country and Rap, at least in the past five years, gave fruitlessly battled for the throne in what ‘the culture’ needs.
To get personal for a bit, I have written in other publications about the rise of bro-country and the fall of mainstream success with hip-hop. I have also in the past been very open to epic multi-genre-spanning albums (including those under the country sphere) such as Zach Bryan’s latest album, Dolly Parton’s “Rockstar” and Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter.”
Well, my socks have been knocked-off once again by a prolific, subversive country act. Shaboozey’s “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going” is one of those ‘blow-you-away’ type albums. Spanning 12 tracks and multiple different musical sub-genres, “Where I’ve Been” carefully balances country pop, americana, country rap and a surprisingly adequate take on stomp-and-holler bro-country.
“Horses & Hellcats” starts off the album pairing twangy background guitars with a foreground acoustic guitar that gives way to the husky, deep vocals of Shaboozey. The lyrics on this track create a foreboding, epic and triumphant atmosphere – perfect for an intro.
“And there’s no way out of the life that we chose/Everyone knows where it goes/Ayy, we ride palominos like they’re SRTs/Once I pick a speed, ain’t no catchin’ me,” Shaboozey sings on the chorus.
Shaboozey paints the picture of the old American West in the modern South. A story of outlaws, steeds, and regret. This opening track gives way to Shaboozey’s breakout single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” it’s got everything that a great modern country song needs. Clean production, dynamic lyricism, a catchy-as-hell chorus, and a charismatic lead vocalist.
Shaboozey combines classic, southern drawl with modern bro-country aesthetics not only in his lyrics, but his delivery as well.
“One, here comes the two to the three to the four/Tell ’em ‘Bring another round,’ we need plenty more/Two-steppin’ on the table, she don’t need a dance floor/Oh my, good Lord,” Shaboozey sings on “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
This combination of great lyrics, flow, and southern delivery gives each song an authenticity that is lacking on a lot of modern country releases. You can really believe that the stories being told here are what Shaboozey has experienced in his day-to-day life, from parties to heartbreak.
This extends to a lot of the slower tracks on the album as well. Instead of a brazen bravado, Shaboozey displays a kind a soft sincerity in these ballads. “East Of The Massanutten,” “Finally Over” and “Let It Burn” are tracks you’d find playing beside the calm, embers of a recently put out fire at a friends’ campsite.
In contrast, Shaboozey really puts the ‘party’ In party tracks. “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” “Anabelle” and “Vegas” all bring a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere to the album and act as good singles.
While there are no bad tracks on this record, there are one or two tracks that do not explore one of those two pre-established atmospheres and feel lost in comparison.
“Drink Don’t Need No Mix” and “Steal Her From Me” both have that meandering quality to them, along with lyricism by Shaboozey that is not the most impressive.
“’Cause nothin’ last forever/And momma raised me better/See, these girls belong to the streets/What goes around comes around/And karma, she’ll haunt you down,” Shaboozey sings on “Steal Her From Me.”
Overall, this record from Shaboozey (not unlike a lot of subversive country records) has really impressed me and I am looking forward to see what road he will go down next.
