Drummers’ Grove tribute marred by misconduct
By Tangerine Clarke
According to research, drumming
is a path of healing that
guides us into experiencing the
flow of our mind and emotions so
we may grow to experience more
about our soul. And more so, free
to connect with others, in order to
release, restore and heal.
However, this was not communicated
at Prospect Park, on July
18, where this reporter was verbally
attacked, with indecent language
and ordered to remove from
a grassy area during a Sunday
weekly African tribute in Drummers’
Grove, reopened after the
year-long pandemic shutdown.
While covering the presentation,
I was rebuked by an African-
American mob of women that
demanded I discontinue photographing
drummers and dancers;
in an “ego-tripping” embarrassing
way as scores of spectators
looked on.
I was invited by Brooklyn’s
Master Drummer, Menes de
groit to cover a titled: Keeping
D’Kulcha Alive – to celebrate two
Caribbean cultural icons, Trinidad
born, painter, Wilcox Morris,
and poet Brother Resistance, both
who recently passed on.
Not having a clear understanding
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of the drumming rite, which
I was attending for the first time
in its 40-year history, I indicated
that I was working with the press,
and was entitled to do my job.
Their response was, “We don’t
care.”
The women even requested,
that I show written authorization
to photograph the event. I
was met with abusive; threatening
language, while being surrounded,
with what I felt was unlawful
intimidation, and bullying.
Mind you, this was in Drummers’
Grove, Prospect Park, a
public space, they said I should
not be on because it was sacred
ground.
Let’s be reminded, that many,
African-Americans, just like this
gang, accuses other races of discriminating
against them, meanwhile,
they themselves, showed no
respect, in their capacity as elders.
They insulted the intelligence of a
black professional journalist, who
was identified, as such. The stereotypical
narrative, of angry black
women, was certainly at play.
And despite the fact that they
argued the event was a spiritual
one, they definitely, left any doubt
in my mind, that it was not treated
as such, since they were intoxicated
Master Drummer Menes de groit, far right, and drummers paying tribute in Drummers’
Grove, Prospect Park. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
and showed no respect for
what they were trying to achieve
in the first place.
It was share ignorance, on the
part of this particular woman,
who said it was a private event
she organized, and I should get
permission, even though, I invited
her to speak on behalf of the
group, and the spiritual presentation.
They missed a golden opportunity
to be showcased by the
press, and be mindful of the indelible
work of the deceased artists,
whose lasting legacy was being
celebrated.
If they were organizers, as
they say, then “signage” should
have been displayed respectfully,
instead of them being disruptive,
and disrespectful to the whole
process.
Unfortunately, the bad behavior
of these women overshadowed
the purpose of the event.
They diluted the culture, and
left this reporter with a bad taste
in her mouth, after a harrowing
first time experience.
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