An Editorial Reflection from the Editor of The Echo, New Jersey's Oldest Black-Owned Newspaper: Addressing My Disappointments with Questlove's Roots Festival in Philly
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- Jun 6
- 9 min read
June 6, 2025
Commentary: A Letter from the Editor
The Roots Festival in Philadelphia, a longstanding celebration of Black culture on the East Coast, recently encountered significant organizational challenges that marred the experience for attendees. Prolonged wait times, logistical hiccups, and operational inefficiencies detracted from the event's historical significance, leaving many attendees feeling dissatisfied.
As a vital cultural staple for Black citizens, the festival's failure to meet expectations underscored the importance of meticulous planning and robust support for Black cultural events. This setback serves as a poignant reminder of the need for heightened attention to detail and proactive measures to ensure the success of future cultural gatherings. By addressing the root causes of the issues faced by the Roots Festival, we can learn valuable lessons about the importance of efficient organization and attentive execution in fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community experience. Through reflective evaluation and strategic improvements, we can enhance the resilience and vibrancy of events that celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture, promoting unity and understanding among diverse audiences. At Echo News TV, LLC, we stand committed to amplifying the voices and narratives that shape our shared heritage, advocating for racial equity and justice in all facets of our societal tapestry.
Gif of The Charleston Dance: Wix Gif
In the realm of Black culture, the journey of organizing cultural events often meets daunting obstacles. The legacy of historical injustices and deep-rooted resistance from communities can create significant challenges for African Americans striving to showcase their heritage and traditions. When reflecting on the struggles faced in preserving and celebrating Black history, the narrative of resilience and perseverance emerges as a powerful force driving the need for these events to flourish. Within this landscape of hurdles, the historical significance of Monmouth Race Track stands out as a poignant reminder of both triumphs and tribulations in African American history. As a venue that has witnessed pivotal moments in the fight for racial equality, it serves as a symbol of the ongoing struggle for recognition and representation.
Navigating these complexities requires more than just determination; it demands unwavering support from the community to preserve and honor the invaluable contributions of Black heritage. Despite the challenges that may arise, the importance of cultural events for African Americans cannot be understated. These gatherings serve as beacons of hope, spaces where stories are shared, traditions are upheld, and identities are celebrated. The path to creating such events may be arduous, but it is imbued with a profound sense of purpose. This purpose underscores the resilience of a community determined to commemorate its past, honor its present, and shape a future where Black voices are heard and valued.
And I know what I am speaking of because this is what happened to me when attempting to initiate a worthwhile annual Black History Event at Monmouth Race Track.
As a former Monmouth Race Track employee and long-time New Jersey resident, I've faced significant obstacles in proposing an annual event celebrating African American history and the legacy of formerly enslaved people who became influential at Monmouth Race Track, once known as "The Jewel of the Jersey Shore." During a period when many horse trainers, owners, jockeys, and publicists were African American, the idea was to host a week-long, family-friendly cultural event at Monmouth Park featuring The Universal Soul Circus. I suggested that a portion of the ticket sales should go towards supporting historic Black churches and cemeteries in Monmouth County.
In the late 1800s, Black jockeys were significant figures in Thoroughbred racing. At the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were African American. Between 1890 and 1899, they won six Derbies, one Preakness Stakes, and three Belmont Stakes. However, by the early 1920s and 1930s, the presence of Black jockeys, trainers, and breeders began to diminish rapidly due to the illegal activities of the KKK and population replacement enforced through Jim Crow laws, leading to systemic racism in the sport.
Tracks like Monmouth Park are places where these historical equestrian figures before the ending of slavery brought fellow Black families their freedom plus either constructed or raised funds for Black churches in New Jersey, as well as for other successful businesses, and where they and their descendants are buried. This support would help maintain their facilities and grounds. Additionally, the funds would aid urban community centers in offering Freedom School activities and field trips for children whose parents can't afford the cost of summer camps. This initiative recognizes the challenges faced by Black parents working full-time in an inequitable society, aiming to reduce unsupervised youth and the risk of them entering the Cradle to Prison Pipeline, ultimately combating mass incarceration.
In summary, I reached out to both the Monmouth Race Track and the local Black community. Still, I was met with unhelpful and complaining gatekeepers who have contributed to the ongoing tactics that unjustly oppress everyday Black citizens. This is primarily due to a genuine post-traumatic slave syndrome issue that often causes Black citizens to remain passive instead of advocating for what is right and, more importantly, what safeguards ALL OF THEIR PEOPLE, not just those whom a racist America suggests they should protect, such as insourced worker populations who are noncitizens. I argued on behalf of my people that while the Irish and Spanish are celebrated annually, there should be an event honoring Black citizens who were instrumental in building the industry in New Jersey in the first place!
Now, historically, most Black citizens born during the 50s, 60s, and 70s remember how, on July 4, 1924, the Ku Klux Klan illegally marched on Elkwood Park, now known as Monmouth Park, and falsely confiscated property. This act was illegal because Confederate allies are essentially enemies of the state, especially when they stole from law-abiding citizens who supported Black citizens' freedoms and rights. On that day, the KKK took over Elkwood Park, renamed it Monmouth Park, and (now this is going to sound very familiar) brought their Mexican allies and workers to replace Black citizens, business owners, and workers at Monmouth Race Track. This led to the loss of the wealth and industry that Black citizens in New Jersey had built. The state then began seizing lands, money, and businesses from Black citizens using Black codes, claims of nontax payments, and high taxes, also known as Jim Crow Laws and or manipulations. New Jersey has yet to apologize or compensate its Black citizens for this injustice, which remains a disgrace. And all I, Karen Brittingham-Edmond, wanted was for the circus to come to town.
Had I not worked in the executive office, likely once the home of affluent Black citizens, and seen the evidence and artifacts in the attic, along with the photos of Black jockeys and thoroughbred breeders that still adorn the Monmouth Park office walls, I might remain unaware of this controversy because true Black history in New Jersey isn't taught. And by some brainwashing techniques, older generations who experienced these atrocities as children were taught not to talk about it. This is why when Black people first watched the TV series Roots by Alex Haley in 1977, they were deeply affected. The true tragedy and injustice of chattel slavery, America's original and unrepentant sin, had not been fully acknowledged or shared. We know it remains unrepented because the reparations owed to Black citizens have never been paid and are still due to this day. You can imagine the shock and rejection felt by a community that should support our struggling Black churches, affected by mass incarceration and the crack cocaine epidemic, which was deeply troubling to me. The only person from the Black community who stood by me was Brother Carl Jennings, the Long Branch Housing Authority Commissioner and former Executive Director of the Long Branch Recreational Department, who unfortunately passed away last year on March 31, 2024.
This calculated move by New Jersey and the Southern Evangelicals, which facilitated the illegal entry of mass populations through the "Sanctuary Movement," has deprived Black citizens of trillions of dollars plus the chance to embrace their grandchildren. This replacement initiative was wrong in 1924 and remains wrong today. (But will anyone ever tell the truth about this injustice? I doubt it!) And this is why the Roots Festival Annual Event becoming such an avoidable catastrophe burns my biscuits!
Nevertheless, the only individuals interested in witnessing the annual celebration of Black history at Monmouth Park in 2016 were Mr. Dennis Drazin, Owner and Operator of Monmouth Park, Vice President of Operations Bill Knuff of Monmouth Park, and Brother Carl Jennings. Sadly, Brother Jennings passed away in 2024 after dedicating decades to serving the Black community, which often did not appreciate or respect the challenges he faced while supporting the Long Branch community. Long Branch is where the original Echo, the oldest Black newspaper, was established, but I digress. And, in my opinion, this was when the bomb threats started coming in at Monmouth Race Track in 2016 because the Kushners didn't want anything to do with celebrating Black History. They wanted things to continue in the racist scenario that has worked for their people, and Black citizens' needs, wants, or respect is a non-factor despite Jewish people utilizing every minority right and standing pushed through by the Black Civil Rights movement. To the point here in New Jersey, when Jewish families need a housing certificate, they receive their vouchers within the week of giving birth to a child.
In comparison, Black citizens in need of a housing voucher have been placed on the Section 8 list for five to eight years as part of a 40-year plan to gentrify Black citizen populations to kill the power of the Black vote. But it's gonna take more than lying, stealing, and Satan on the side of racist White New Jerseyeans and their allies to continue to steal from Black citizens because a lie can't live forever.
My story highlights the effort to establish an annual festival celebrating Black achievement and culture in an industry that Black citizens of New Jersey originally built during the era of slavery. And all of the hassles I, plus other Black citizens, experienced by getting in the way and making good trouble to address the severe non-recognition of Black citizens' contributions in New Jersey. Whom I am sure a plethora of other Black citizens have attempted to get done just to be stymied in the end by ignorant Black leadership who are either not Black or just Clarence Thomas's that gladly throw their own people's hopes and dreams down the toilet of "I don't care" isms where which I unrepentantly shout back to these backward Nefros F you and the horse you rode in on!
The reality that The Roots Festival was established in racist Philadelphia, another section of America that spends more money on the animals in their zoos' than on Black citizen's families who have ancestors that have paid taxes to the state of Philadelphia since the 1800s lets Echo readers know that for them to pull off this annual event took a host of Black folks supporting this worthwhile event that more than likely includes A.M.E. support to get up into racist White or insourced politicians to demand that event be allowed to happen is a bitter pill to swallow. Especially since Quest Love and friends managed to disrespectfully not coordinate and provide complete quality customer services to their thousands upon thousands of their Black patrons who could have been shot as a result of said unprofessional buffoonery of mass overcrowding at the Roots Festival seven days ago on 31 May 2025!
I'll never watch the Jimmy Fallon Show again...not that I ever watched it in the first place, but that's not my point!
Today's share from the relaunched Echo NJ, the oldest Black-owned newspaper in the area, from the Editor's desk is entirely cathartic. It is aimed at empathizing with all the children who attended this event during a struggling economy, where serious racist confederates control the White House. All that average Black folks, comprising working-class, college students, and educated individuals who appreciate Black culture and struggle, wanted was a place to relax, enjoy good soul food, and sing and dance to the music of our people.
But no! Because Quest Love and friends couldn't come through by just strategizing differently and making the event happen on a pre-planned rain day. But no, instead, they meshed both the VIP Ticket holders, who paid between $400 to $600, with Standard Ticket holders, who paid $125 $145, which is still super expensive, causing a ginormous populated line where ticket holders waited non-violently for over five hours to get into the venue. Jeez! At least ticket holders received their money back. Still, I didn't get to hear my girl Crystal Waters Lenni Lenape looking self from Deptford Township, New Jersey, whose the great-niece of Ethel Waters, who was one of Black America's premiere vocalists to appear in mainstream Hollywood niece Crystal Waters, sing our peoples pop culture anthem Gyspsy Woman & 100% Pure Love, WAHHH!
We all know the words! La da dee la da dau
The ancestors should be upset. Over 60 thousand Black female federal workers have been laid off from their good-paying jobs as a result of Elon Musk and Donald Trump's treasonous efforts. How do you think that made them feel Quest? I mean Ahmir K. Thompson, where I emphasized THOMPSON. I hope he's not my cousin. The point is when everything is said and done, Black citizens don't need to witness or experience this atrocity of poor planning.
So will there be a Roots Festival next year? Or has this man-made sabotage destroyed the possibility of one of the most successful Black cultural events on the East Coast again? Time will tell. But I'm still perturbed.
Yorumlar