Sing-along Café 2025-02-27

It was so good to be back together! We sang and listened and talked and nibbled and sipped happily in good company again. There were heavy moments, but we were mostly very positive and hopeful.

Our theme was Black History Month. We first talked about Sunday’s Affirming and Inclusivity Service. We all agreed that it was uplifting and fun. I pointed out that although I did aim for uplifting and hopeful, I also wanted it to be powerful, and I was proud of my team and Celena for making it strong and meaningful too. We watched a bit of the video and listened to Celena’s poem. We were all impressed by her powerful words and effective delivery, and we were all touched and heavy-hearted. We listened to the choir and praise team sing God Weeps and Put a Little Love in Your Heart. Thank God for uplifting music that reminds us that there are good people, and music that inspires us to be better as individuals and in our communities! I’m proud of my church that is a place where I feel that we can make a difference together. 

There were a few more of those inspiring songs in our evening, but first we listened to some songs that Ian and his family recommended, which led us down different paths. One thing we thought we needed to do was research blackface to see why and how and when that seemed like a good thing. Like, in what context was it acceptable? Darktown Strutters Ball by Al Jolson was interesting. Here’s a Jewish man who is credited with introducing Black music, ragtime, jazz, the blues to white audiences, but in a way that we now think is insulting, racist, cringe- blackface. I think we’re all going to look it up. I will let you journey there yourselves. 

We spent a little bit of time listening to Kendrick Lamar’s song, Not Like Us, which he performed at the Super Bowl. It’s fascinating and catchy. The version I had was so full of *** where words were bleeped that we really couldn’t sing it, but it was interesting. We’ll need to read about that song and the whole Super Bowl performance too. It was colossal. We all felt proud of Serena Williams for dancing her crip walk dance with joy and abandon. The history of the dance goes back to street gangs and rap music in the neighborhood where she grew up. It’s her culture, and I think we should be curious about it and not dismissive or scandalized (like Wimbledon). 

With all that discussion, we still managed to sing quite a bit. Here’s a selection:

• What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
• Every Time I Feel the Spirit and Old Man River by Paul Robeson
• Darktown Strutters Ball by Al Jolson, and by Jimmy Dorsey, and by Fats Domino
• Jambalaya by Fats Domino
• What the World Needs Now by Burt Bacharach and by Jackie DeShannon
• Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
• People are People by Depeche Mode
• Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• Stop, Look and Listen by Donna Summer
• Unconditional Love by Donna Summer and Musical Youth
• Just my Imagination by the Temptations
• Love Train by the O’Jays
• The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack
• Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar

There's so much more music on the list by amazing Black artists, and music that inspires anti-racism, peace, and unity, that we'll continue with this playlist for another week at least. As we move into the season of Lent, a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, penitence from Ash Wednesday to Easter, the theme of anti-racism and unity fits perfectly. 

Here's a look at Trinity's Black History Month anti-racism poster. 

My team will continue to focus on anti-racism along with affirming the Pride community.