"Black Power the Soul of Columbus, A Place to Remember"
Written by: Vida Michelle
"The Scene was so thick, Low rides, Seville’s, nothing' but the 'Llacs...
All the Business Owners, all the Leaders, Teachers, I'm talking about Black Man heaven, you know what I'm saying?"...
When talking about the "Old" Mt. Vernon/Long st. District of Columbus, Ohio also known as The near Eastside, well - it was kind of like that.
The journey begins with "Black Power The Soul of Columbus, a Place to Remember" a film done by David Maurice Bailey, and Kwodwo Ababio based on a play written by Stefanie Moss. The Film, Poetry show and Play are also referred to as "The Series", and are sponsored by The New Harvest Urban Arts Center, and the Ohio Historical Center. The Series takes us back to a time where everyone could finish that sentence - "Say it Loud!" -A time where the Mt. Vernon District was a neighborhood full of business, and art. Back when the atmosphere on the Near Eastside was full of pride, and Black Power.
That may be hard to imagine for some who now look at the Near Eastside, and see it plagued by the total opposite. The same neighborhood known for its greatness is now run by drugs, crime, and poverty.
As I watched the Film and listened to Band Leader Gene Walker, a native of Columbus, who has played with the greats including The Beatles speak I noticed something stood out. It was the pride in his voice, and in his eyes. I realized, it HAS been quite a while since I've heard anyone yell "Say it Loud!", and heard someone else answer "I'm black and I'm proud!"
Where did the Black Power go? How and why did it leave?
Because of my age, I wondered, did the power go to Hip Hop? Did it knock on the door and get an answer - yet?
The old Mt. Vernon district had the elements necessary for Power because it had Pride. There was trust between businesses and customers. Entrepreneurs’ and Black owned shops existed for black children to look up to. Leaders emerged and were respected because of the work ethic that they lived. The Community financially supported each other and supported itself. All the qualities necessary to make a neighborhood productive and powerful existed.
When those elements are present, the result is pride. Pride that is then expressed through art, and music, and even in the way people dress. When The Pride left, The Power went with it.
Some say the struggle The near Eastside/Black Community faces is simple. It comes down to "The ignorant vs. The intelligent" One Community split in two mindsets, and lifestyles. This may or may not be true. All things considered times have changed. Maybe the people and places look different but some formulas are forever.
1. A house divided against itself will not stand.
2. Education + hard work = Power and Pride.
The Mt. Vernon/ Long st. Near East Area embodied The Pride and Power of the Black Community, and can live again. It is currently living through projects such as "The Series", and people like David, Kwodwo, and Stefanie who continue to remind us that - Once we were Warriors.
One thing is for certain, the time, the mindset, the lifestyle, and the atmosphere; is definitely "A Place to Remember".
