There are parallels that uniquely marries the soul of a people with the beat of their heart.
That similarity unites Caribbean Heritage Month with Black Music Month in June.
President Joe Biden designated the mid-year timeframe when both should be celebrated and regaled.
Actually, it is the hybrid Caribbean-American community which he distinguished as the entitled
beneficiaries of the proud distinction diasporans from the region will boast in a rainbow of colors.
“During Caribbean American Heritage Month we celebrate the contributions and the diverse cultures of the millions of people across our nation with Caribbean heritage who have never let us walk away from our nation’s most sacred values of opportunity and freedom,” President Biden said in a statement proclaiming the calendar achievement.
Needless to say he lauded those in his administration whose heritage claim entitlement — Vice President Kamala Harris (borne from a Jamaican South Pacific hybrid) Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security — born in Havana, Cuba and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre whose roots emanate from Martinique.
The commander-in-chief boasted his administration’s achievement in attaining enhancements to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and islands throughout the region.
“Caribbean Americans are dreamers and doers always finding ways to push our country forward, reach new heights and forge a more perfect union,” the two-term Democratic hopeful added.
Forty-five years ago President Jimmy Carter deemed the month African American Music Appreciation Month.
During the Biden administration’s millennial leadership on the very same May 31 date he hailed Caribbean nationals, the president extended the declaration.
“Black Music is a staple of American art and a powerhouse of our culture,” he said.
Early in his tenure Pres. Biden honored Queen Latifah, Gladys Knight, Berry Gordy, Dione Warwick and others emphasizing that — “Black music has set the beat of the Civil Rights movement.”
He also distinguished the reputations of Caribbean-Americans simultaneous to proclaiming a salute to genres which encompass gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, hip-hop, blues by urging educators, public officials and all Americans to acknowledge the strains birthed from African descendants.
Ironically the politician who served as second in command to the first Black president is now the leader of the free world and the first president to declare the freedom of Africans by naming Juneteenth, a national holiday.
Of all the month’s calendar listings, appreciation of heritage will be on display for 30 days.
Festivals, concerts, dancing, parades, foods, conferences will amplify the rich history and culture of the Caribbean.
And that music will set the tone, the city will be buzzing with soca, reggae, steel pan, rara, zouk, salsa, dancehall as well as pop, country, folk and all the above-mentioned moneymakers that makes us all tap our feet.
Catch you On the Inside!
