In celebrating Black History Month, R.A.C.E. Matters SLO hosted Beat Party, a drumming circle, on Feb. 10. The event was hosted at the organization’s multi-use space Texture by RaiseUp SLO, a branch of R.A.C.E. Matters that caters to building community around children of color.
This was the second Beat Party RaiseUp SLO has hosted, both of which engaged in educating youth through music and storytelling. With a focus on music and culture, Beat Parties are centered around playing the drums to different African patterns and rhythms.
“Beat Parties are a way for children of color and other underrepresented youth in our community to have their voice heard, and to do it in a way that is welcoming and inclusive through music,” Vice President of the board of R.A.C.E. Matters and event organizer Julie Lynem said. “So it is both music education as well as education about history while uplifting the voices of the kids in attendance.”
RaiseUp SLO provides multiple drums to create an expansive drumming circle for their events and encourages all to join. There is no drumming experience necessary because music instructor Tracy Morgan teaches and leads the circle.
As people arrived, they took a seat in front of a drum and began learning how to play together. Morgan guided beginners by providing jingles they could sing while drumming to remember the pattern. Some of the more experienced drummers, such as Morgan, played various beats throughout the song that added different rhythms for the circle to play with.
After the first round of drumming, Lynem spoke about the origin of Black History Month and played a video detailing its historical background. When the video ended, Lynem opened a discussion about what Black History Month means to attendees and how they see it celebrated in San Luis Obispo. Lynem encouraged parents and children alike to participate in the discussion.
After attendees shared their thoughts, Morgan took center stage and led another drumming session. He encouraged folks to sing, dance and be as loud and joyous as they wanted.
When the drumming concluded, Lynem asked the attending children to participate in a Black History Month trivia game, offering prizes for the kids who got correct answers.
Once all the questions were asked, Lynem played a video reading of the book “The Youngest Marcher” by Cynthia Levinson. The book is based on the life of Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest known civil rights marcher to be arrested at a protest in Burmington, Alabama.
“This story really lets the children know that no matter how young you are, you can still be a part of something bigger than yourself,” Lynem said. “You can also be part of a movement just like the kids back in the 1960s were a part of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Following the reading of the book, the group talked about what they would like to see more of or learn more about regarding Black history and community. Attendees shared their experiences and wishes for the future before closing out the event with one final drum session.
