Church And a Movie: A Black History Weekend with Mayor Ryan
by Betty Jean Grant
Betty Jean Grant
Buffalo’s newly elected mayor, Mr. Sean Ryan, has pulled off a very successful and productive initiative in getting to know his constituents on a more personal level, especially those city residents he did not represent when he was served in the 61st NYS Senate District seat.
Mayor Ryan had his staff invite some of his supporters to attend the February15th, church service at the Michigan Street Baptist Church, in the African American Heritage Corridor on Michigan Ave— no, I did not type a typo, the church was name Michigan St. Baptist Church according to an original plaque that was found and later restored to the church a few decades ago. The Pastor and some members of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church were the hosts for this particular Sunday service. This writer was surprised to learn that the founding members of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church moved from the Michigan Ave. Baptist Church and into the then Humboldt Parkway Lutheran Church in the late 1950s.
One of the highlights of that last Sunday’s visit was when one of the church members gave a detailed history of the significance of what is known in the African Culture as “Watch Night.” Watch Night is when enslaved Africans, in states that had succeeded from the Union, during the Civil War, gathered in their cabins or in the woods to wait for, and to celebrate the official end of slavery. That was when the Emancipation Proclamation, signed on September 14, 1862, and became the Law of the Land in those slave holding states on January 1, 1863.
Those old, traditional Watch Night celebrations are still observed today in churches and communities across this country, when folks go to church or to parties on New Year Eve. Fact is, the first celebration to commemorate the New Year was in 1904, in New York City. The 1st ball drop did not happen in Times Square until 1907. Many researchers are crediting the Emancipation Proclamation’s Night Watches as being the model that this country used to celebrate the New Year. People should not be shocked or surprised because the United States’ commemoration of Memorial Day, to honor the dearly departed ones, was first practiced by this country’s formerly enslaved citizens.
The trip to the North Park Movie Theater was indeed a treat. The movie shown was Shirley and it was a historical account of the political campaign of the late congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, in her bid to become the first female president of the United States of America. The movie was entertaining as well as informative. I have always known that Ms. Chisolm was not supported by many of her black political associates.
However, a few things I learned after watching the movie: 1. Arthur Hardwick was her 2nd husband. 2. She was supported by the Black Panther Party. 3. She visited George Wallace, the then Alabama Governor and presidential candidate, in the hospital after a failed assassination attempt on his life.
The theater was almost filled to capacity, and the audience was a diverse group of folks who seemed to, by their applause, thoroughly enjoy the movie. The free bags of popcorn, supplied by our honorable Mayor, were appreciated, as well.