Fostering the Imagination of Oakland’s Children
Oakland Freedom School Holds 2011 Graduation
By Reginald James
Source: Oakland Local
“Oakland Freedom School, how do you feel?” “Fantastic! Terrific! Great! All. Day.Long. Ugh ugh ugh uggghh!”. So began the call-and-response at Oakland Freedom School’s 2011 graduation held on August 5 at the House of Music in downtown Oakland.
“It’s the reee-miiiix!” yells Adrianne Gillyard, program director of “OFS.” Students and teachers repeat the response, but this time enter into a sustained, Master P-type “ugh”as some dipped to the ground and others leaned back like Neo from the Matrix. Seconds later, they pop back up and the chorus ends with a grand Oakland punctuationmark: “You feel me?”
This chant, along with about a half a dozen others, were the bookends each day atthe five-week long summer literacy program organized by Leadership Excellence, an Oakland based non-profit organization dedicated to educating African American youthtowards personal and community transformation. OFS operated in two sites this summer for six weeks: Ile Omode in East Oakland, and Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in West Oakland.
Students learned many things about African and African American history, ranging from the Classical African Civilizations of Kemet (Ancient Egypt), Songhai and Mali,to the Black Arts Movement and Harlem Renaissance. Students also volunteered at local Black owned businesses, like Marcus Books. The African-centered program is designedto encourage youth to read during the summer while building self-esteem and a strong cultural identity.
And the youth were quite excited to share what they’d learned.
The graduation ceremony began with libation lead by OFS teacher Duane Deterville. Libation is a ritual honoring God and ancestors by pouring water onto a plant whilespeaking the names of those ancestors. In addition to the immediate ancestors of those present, the names of Freedom Fighters like Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X were said. Others remembered Oscar Grant.
Next, classroom presentations were made. Children showcased militant yet incredibly cute formations, using “Liberation” and “Revolution” opposed to the directions of leftand right. One spirited group, led by OFS teacher Randa Powell, would quickly “Bust aMove.” The students would break out into dance, then immediately returning to the basic standing formation of “Freedom One,” simultaneously showcasing their creativity and discipline. The groups’ “Strike a Pose” was also a crowd favorite.
Next, the Black Panther class marched forward wearing all black chanting, “The Revolution has Come! (OKAY!) Shine your light like the sun! (OKAY!)” After showing off their formations, the class educated the crowd about the Party. Elijah Payne, sonof Oakland educators Macheo and Kafi Payne, stood proudly an OFS t-shirt and blackberet, representing the late Dr. Huey P. Newton. OFS student Delaney Mapp, daughter of OutdoorAfro.com founder Rue Mapp, represented Elaine Brown, former chair woman of the Party, while Kadar Howard portrayed exiled Panther Assata Shakur. The Black Panther class was led by Daniel Muhammad and Sirius El (Thorton White, III).
OFS teacher and actress/poet Tiara Phalon’s class transformed into the “Anansi Players.”The class, named after the spider from West African folklore, performed a dramatic interpretation of trickster Anansi while Phalon read the tale. The program ended with a Harambee circle similar to closing ceremonies at Kwanzaa celebration. “Harambee” is Swahili for “pulling together.”
“The children were really excited and it was a good time for all the children, teachers, parents and the community,” Gillyard said.
“It was a great graduation,” said OFS parent Jazz Hudson, whose son Nassor was one of the Anansi Players. “The program has definitely made my son more excited about reading.”
