Livingston Social Justice Group Rallies For Black History Events

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston Justice, a local community action group, recently held a series of events to commemorate Black History Month.

The group kicked off their tributes with a virtual fireside chat on Feb. 16. The event included an open and honest discussion about “why Black History Matters.”

According to a news release from the group, Jenissa Arnette, Jen Best and Anthony Keys, all Livingston area educators and community members, came together to spearhead the discussion. They spoke about how they incorporate Black history and representation into their curriculum to ensure that all their students have an opportunity to see themselves in what they are learning.

In addition to discussing the importance of representation from the student perspective, the group also discussed the importance of telling “untold stories,” such as “understanding the origins of U.S. policing as slave patrols, as a starting point to addressing systemic racism.”

The discussion wrapped up by addressing the perception that racism is “an issue to be solved by the people who are most affected by racism.”

“As a white person, the first time I spoke up about these issues I was worried that I would say the wrong thing,” Best said. “But I did it because ultimately racism is all of our problem.”

DANCE CLASS

On Feb. 17, Livingston Justice partnered with Grooves Unlimited Dance Studio, a Livingston Black-owned business, to offer a free, virtual dance class celebrating the art forms of hip-hop and body percussion (see photo above).

Instructor and co-owner Shani "Virgo" Alston taught the group of adult and youth dancers a routine of hip-hop and body percussion moves. In between leading the class and learning the moves, Alston also shared information with the group about hip-hop culture and history, as well as body percussion’s South African origins.

KIDS CRAFTS

Closing out the week, Livingston Justice gave local children the opportunity to come together virtually and make a culturally significant craft, while also learning about Black history.

Volunteers with the group distributed 134 craft kits containing the supplies to make a working drum, inspired by the West African djembe drum.

After receiving the craft kits, children were able to join a Zoom class, during which 28th South Mountain, BPSA scout leader and kindergarten teacher Jen Best taught them about the history of the djembe drum and how it is played, while also leading them in assembling the drum and playing their new instruments as a group.

HEALING POWER

Livingston Justice’s final Black History Month event, a conversation with Raphael Travis on his book, "The Healing Power of Hip Hop," was done in collaboration with the Livingston Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

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