San Quentin’s Rastafari Theater and Arts Ensemble team put on its first Juneteenth celebration in the Catholic Chapel on June 18.
The team was founded by The House of the Lion of Judah Ecumenical Rastafari. The theme of the program was “The Day of Your Mind Emancipation.”
Host and prisoner Shai Alkebu-lan greeted the crowd of about 80 men with one love and respect.
Speaker Darrel Smith opened the celebration with a short but in-depth history lesson on how Texas became part of the Union and why it took so long for the slaves to be freed after the Emancipation Proclamation.
“They had a war with Mexico, and they just got out of the Civil War. Basically, everybody was wore out,” said Smith. “But those slaves who were finally freed should be celebrated.”
Inmate Bilal Hamilton spoke on the harms of having a sense of entitlement and being judgmental.
“It can lead to captivity,” said Hamilton. “It seems like the world is headed that way again. We all should think before we label people. Instead we should be giving each other a helping hand.”
In the footsteps of the great African storytellers, inmates Bryant “The Truth” Harrison, Ira “SC Prince” Perry and Harun Taylor performed thought-provoking spoken word.
Harrison’s “A Call to Order” spoke to the pitfalls of materialism in the community.
“Hard work and not fast money is the remedy to get somewhere,” said Harrison. “We shouldn’t take the easy way out.”
Perry drew a standing ovation with “Love Ballot” as he masterfully connected different popular songs together to form one solid love story.
“It’s about what songs you would use to say to someone you like,” said Perry.
He performed “How Do I Love Thee” about a lost love and “I Surrender Get You Shot and Killed,” a politically conscious piece on growing up Black.
Taylor debuted his “I am 4.4” number, an esoteric journey through several religious beliefs.
He woved Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Native aboriginal principles into one beautiful quilt of togetherness.
He pronounced, “I am” after reciting each faith’s main principles, to highlight the shared internal human qualities.
“The program was a complete success,” said Alkebu-lan. “Everyone got a big dose of wisdom. We thank Father George Williams and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Chapel for being a great host.”
