Ohio City, Ohio.
Bishop Judie don gather pipo for Juneteenth wey dem celebrate for June 19, 2025. Dis year no be small wahala as Sister Jane Nesmith welcome everybody, say, “We be celebration people… no one dey free until all of us dey free,” like say dem wan do mini one-man show.
Juneteenth na the day when pipo for Texas finally hear say dem don free, more than two years after Abraham Lincoln sign Emancipation Proclamation. Sister Nesmith drop am like hot akara, say, “No be to dey sad wey we go do, but to rejoice because God don see us through all dis wahala.” (Who no go like to chop hot akara? Life sweet sometimes.)
As the Mass dey go on, even heavy rain no fit stop the show. Kaiden Daniels, the sixth grader, warble beta song after communion wey make everybody chill. But no be all as dem plan picnic for outside, rain come spoil dem gist. Voluntary pipo still gree cook hot dogs and burgers inside church like sey na street party.
Bishop Martin Amos, wey don retire, joined everybody for Mass, dey remind dem sey truth and freedom dey important gists for our life. Father Judie, wey take the mic for homily, talk sey the apostles finally understand sey na truth go set dem free. He emphasize sey Jesus no be just some guy wey dey holidaying in heaven; Him wan make we have betta relationship with am.
Everything dey relate back to those matas of race and freedom; Father Judie bin dey ask why e take so long for dem Texas slaves to sabi sey dem don free too. Na real palava wey dem dey face today as we still dey deal with racism like sey na jollof rice wey we no fit finish. (Who get rice, get power!)
Sister Nesmith yarn sey the event dey open for everyone; no be just for one side, but for all pipo. E even get busload of attendees from the Hispanic Senior Center wey dey St. Michael Church. Na reunion full ground, as dem meet for this Juneteenth celebration again.
Everyone dey dance and celebrate under wet condition, bad like last-minute exam preparation but sweet like palm wine. The Diocesan Gospel Choir don package am again, bring fresh vibe wey dey move body.
So, if you dey think sey truth and freedom na small gist, Omo, check yourself. We go feel better when we start to treat everybody the same and embrace all dis family wey God don give us. Life suppose be sweet and fresh, or we go just dey manage like sey na leftover jollof from yesterday!
