The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘SAY IT LOUD’
Black History Month event focuses on change and the power of music
TORRINGTON — “These are songs that motivate us, songs that move you and groove you,” Effie Mwando told the group. “Say it loud: I’m Black and I’m proud.”
Such was the atmosphere at the latest Our Culture is Beautiful event for Black History Month, organized by city residents Effie and Angaza Mwando.
Four invited speakers shared their impressions of Black History Month during Friday’s event, held on
Zoom. The program drew about 20 people and was planned and moderated by the Mwandos, founders of OCIB.
Effie Mwando urged the group to embrace any opportunity to learn about Black culture and multiculturalism, and focused her talk on music and the contributions songs and Black singers have made to the world. She sang the first stanza of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson, sometimes referred to as the Black national anthem. Angaza Mwando sang the second.
Speakers included WeBo, aka Wilbert Boles, who leads a Black men’s group in Torrington, sings and works to unite people in the city. “When I got married, my wife asked me if we should move to Torrington or Waterbury,” Boles said. “I’m glad I moved to Torrington.”
But, he said, there’s a lot of work to be done, and he reflected on the racial disparities that still prevail around the country.
“We need more love,” he said. “Gotta stop the hatred . ... We need to communicate with different organizations in town, and do more programs together.”
He also sang a bluesy love song, “Brandy, I Really
Miss You,” which was performed by the O’Jays.
Mike Kneb, co-owner of the Hummingbird Cafe on Main Street, was another guest. He read passages from a sermon, “When Peace Becomes Obnoxious,” which the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. read in 1956 in Montgomery, Ala.
Conrad Sienkiewicz, who moved to Torrington in 2001, focused his talk on Torrington being the birthplace of famed abolitionist John Brown.
“A lot of people weren’t aware of that,” Sienkiewicz said. “John Brown walked the walk, and he talked the talk. He didn’t just talk about equality, he did something about it.
“You can debate him all you want, but he did something,” he said. “Since moving to Torrington I’ve been impressed with John Brown, and I’ve tried to get his name out there. I usually hold a memorial hike on the trail (named after Brown) and I also organize something to celebrate his birthday.”
It’s important, he said, to remember Torrington’s role in history.
“John Brown interacted with people like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, and they all started very humbly, from humble families,” he said. “It’s important to remember our part in history, not just extraordinary ones, but the quiet ones, like WeBo, like Mike (Kneb). These people make a difference in their community.”
City Council member Sharon Waagner talked about growing up in a large Irish family, and said she didn’t know what privilege meant until she got older. “I though it meant the people at the country club,” she said. “It wasn’t until I was in high school and had Black friends, and went to work ... in New York City, which was eye-opening for me, and wonderful.”
Later, when she became a teacher, she made a point of introducing her students to Black authors and artists, along with other authors. “I’m really pleased that we have the new Connecticut law, Public Act 12-12, teaching AfricanAmerican and Puerto Rican history in the schools,” she said. “We need to appreciate the people in our world.”
The next Our Culture is Beautiful Black History Month program will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 on Zoom. To attend, go to the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OurCulture-is-Beautiful-2399879000241046 or call 860-375-5842.
To reach Our Culture is Beautiful, email ocisbeautiful@gmail.com or write to P.O. Box 811, Torrington, CT 06790.