B.A.S.I.C. Circle works for unity

The fourth-annual African-American Heritage Festival at Steubenville's North End Field is set to run from noon until 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Activities for the festival, sponsored by the Brothers and Sisters Intelligentsia Crew, will include hip-hop to gospel music, ethic and American food, games for children and adults, a parade for peace and vendors selling wares of importance to the black community, according to festival organizers.

Friday's emphasis will be on the youth of the community, and festival organizers said they are planning to have local youth take charge that day to prepare them for eventually taking over leadership of the festival.

Saturday's activities include music, a children's African arts class beginning at 12:30 p.m., a basketball tournament, a science camp where youth can learn the relationship between science and African heritage and a full day's worth of music from the stage.

The highlight of Saturday's activities will be a parade for peace and the honoring of ancestors beginning at 4 p.m. According to co-organizer J. Slappy, the parade will symbolize unity through the coming together of all races, genders, religions and ages.

Organizers have said they are hoping citizens of all races come and march in the parade to promote "peace in the neighborhoods."

Sunday's activities include gospel music and sermons from the stage featuring local choirs and pastors giving short sermons.

The rich heritage of African and African-American music, arts and philosophies is worth celebrating, as African-Americans' contributions to the general American culture are enormous.

Residents in the Tri-State Area should take notice of the festival and its positive message of unity and community. The young adults who comprise B.A.S.I.C. Circle already are known for their commitment to bettering the local African-American community through the organization's promotion of education, awareness, community involvement and peaceful activities for youth.

What makes the festival and organizers' goals especially inspiring is the members of B.A.S.I.C. Circle are taking the reins to promote positive change in their community, especially among the youth. The promotion of harmony, appreciation and understanding among people of different races and origins embodied by the members of B.A.S.I.C. Circle also should be noted by local citizens.

We encourage all area citizens to take advantage of the opportunity to attend the festival to participate in Saturday's march for peace. We also commend the members of B.A.S.I.C. Circle for their promotion and emphasis on positive activities for youth in the African-American community and beyond.