From early pioneer and entrepreneur Harriet Russell to Merced Mayor Sam Pipes, there is no shortage of Black people who played a major role in shaping the history of Merced County.
With that in mind, the Merced NAACP and others gathered in Bob Hart Square on Saturday to raise a special flag in honor of Black History Month, which runs through the end of February.
The Pan African Flag, often referred to as the African American flag, bears the words “Black History Month,” has horizontal red, black and green stripes which stand respectively for: 1) the blood shed by Black people in their historic struggle for liberation ) 2. Black people throughout Africa and the global diaspora 3). the wealth and fertility of Africa.
A ceremony was held in the square just prior to Saturday’s flag raising. Among the speakers was Anita Evans, who sits on the Madera City Council. Evans broke down the meaning of the flag, and highlighted her speech by leading the small crowd in saying “Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m” Proud,” in reference to the James Brown song of the same title.
“The flag was created for each one of us,” Evans said. “Each and every one of us, we hold a key to this flag.”
The flag was inspired more than a century ago by Pan Africanist leader Marcus Garvey and his Universal Negro Improvement Association. Professor Robert Hill, one of the most prominent experts on Marcus Garvey, told NPR that at the time Garvey felt the flag was needed to show that Black people were becoming an important political force.
“The fact that the Black race did not have a flag was considered by Garvey, and he said this, it was a mark of the political impotence of the Black race,” Hill said. “And so acquiring a flag would be proof that the Black race had politically come of age.”
Numerous officials from the City of Merced were on hand during Saturday’s flag raising ceremony, including Mayor Matt Serratto and City Council members Darin DuPont and Mike Harris. Also in attendance was Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Merced.
Michelle Allison kicked off the ceremony by singing a soulful version of “America, the Beautiful.” Pastor Allen Huddleston of St. Matthew Baptist Church gave the invocation. Joyce Dale read a poem dedicated to the meaning behind the flag. Saturday’s flag raising was followed by a block party/ cultural festival that included a domino tournament, jump houses and other festivities.
There are even more Black History Month events scheduled for later this month:
For example, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 the Merced NAACP will hold a Black History Month Program at Playhouse Merced, located at 452 W. Main St. in downtown Merced. Admission is free.
The theme of the celebration is “African Americans and Labor,” shining a spotlight on the contributions Black people have made to the nation’s workforce. The event will include speeches, live music, theatrical presentations and more.
Visit the Merced NAACP’s website for more information.
One of the Valley’s most popular events in February is the Allensworth Black History Month Celebration.
This year’s event is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, located at 4011 Grant Drive in Earlimart. The event will include food, music, horse and buggy rides, tours of historic buildings, entertainment, shopping and more at the historic town of Allensworth.
On Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick and local playwright Kim McMillon will read poetry at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, located at 645 W. Main St.
McMillon, who is African American, is known around Merced and the Valley, having co-produced the “UC Merced Black Arts Movement Conference: Fifty Years On.” She was also editor of the anthology “Black Fire – This Time.”
