Friends,
Last night, I had the honor of being part of the telling of a story long hidden by hate and fear. It wasn't my story, but I was asked to use my songwriting to help tell it.
Wyatt Outlaw was born a slave in what is now known as Alamance County, North Carolina, 10 miles down the road from us.
During the Civil War, Wyatt escaped slavery to fight for the Union. After the war, he returned to Alamance County, where he was eventually appointed as the first African-American Town Commissioner and Constable of the town of Graham.
Wyatt was known for being soft-spoken and extremely polite, but very determined, entrepreneurial and with a deep desire to create equity for his people. He tried to organize Railroad workers, black and white for fair wages. He raised money to build a school for the newly freed slaves. In a war torn, decimated and deeply divided time and place, he exercised and advocated for restraint instead of vengeance when dealing with white former Confederate soldiers and former slave owners.
I have no idea how a person finds the patience in their soul to do the kind of work he did.
On February 26, 1870 Wyatt was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan.
Wyatt’s story was buried by the powers that be in Graham, out of racism or shame in their complicity or both.
Tonight, Graham native, playwright and actor Sylvester J Allen will present his play about the final moments of Wyatt Outlaw's life: "Spirit of Wyatt Outlaw: Final Peace"
I will also debut my song, “The Ballad of Wyatt Outlaw”
There will also be a beautiful dance performance by a local African Dance troupe.
Tune in on 6 pm ET tonight on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event...
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