Our Black Declaration of Independence

Facsimile of the Declaration of Independence

Have you read the Declaration of Independence lately?

A short but decisive document, it is serving as the inspiration for many happenings this year to celebrate/reflect/critique the 250 year history of the United States. The declaration is filled with a list of desires and grievances that ultimately led to the fracturing from King George III of Great Britain and the birth of the United States as a concept. While centuries old, those desires and grievances seem fresh and evergreen.

I see this anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the desires and triggers that caused dissent and also reflect on the many parallel stories that have shaped this nation since (for ironically similar desires and triggers). From a Black perspective, there are (too) many parallels of experience that have - and continue to - drive Black people in this country to declare their own independence.

Like this country’s founding fathers, we too…

1. Desire to have a mutually agreed upon understanding that “...all men are created equal” and have “...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

2. Need our safety and happiness protected by the government and to be assured that if it fails to do so, we can “...alter or to abolish it.”

3. Are victims to the outsized amount of surveillance by “Standing Armies without Consent” ranging from violent overseers, to organized hate groups, to over policing and (much) more.

4. Have had our most “valuable rules of laws,” ways of beings, and self-governing measures taken away from us with new rules forcibly placed upon us.

5. Face “domestic insurrections” excited upon us, past and present.

   
   

And like Great Britain to America, the institution of slavery has “plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”

For both this season and our June 6th program, I wanted to explore not only the grievances that have and continue to lead Black people to declare their agency, but also how we’ve declared our independence. Everything from moments of resistance, the sheer drive and power of imagination to conjure up freedom and joy, and examples of how we’ve fought to claim space, reclaim our sense of humanity, and pursue happiness.

Castle of our Skins presents: Black Declaration of Independence on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Roxbury's Hibernian Hall

Black Declaration of Independence (7pm at Hibernian Hall on Sat. June 6th) is a prime example of Black agency. With three world premieres created in direct response to the season theme, it’s a powerful showcase of liberation through sound:

1. New York-based composer Yaz Lancaster has created a new duo for counter tenor and harp inspired by the African American quilting traditions, an expression of ingenuity, resourcefulness and ingenious communication with coded symbols and patterns. Of the work, entitled SAWTOOTH, Yaz notes:

“The lyrics are minimal lines that use repetition and numeric patterns, drawing from and alluding to deconstructed spirituals. The piece also utilizes traditional western notation that dissolves into liberated, guided improvisation. This represents the symbolic concept of an artwork being capable of leading a people to freedom.”

2. Las Vegas-based composer Kevin Day shares a deeply personal story with his new chamber work entitled Hallowed which deals with his own struggle

   of self-acceptance as a Black gay man growing up in a Southern religious family. In his words, he shares:

“As a sonic exploration, [Hallowed] ventures from a mind that is tortured with the lies they've been told and believed about themselves for being who they are, to a mind that embraces itself and celebrates who they truly are in the highest reverence…this piece states there is freedom in living as our true selves, without shame or judgment.” 

3. And Hawaiian-based composer Joe Williams, reminds us all of the importance of self-talk to affirm our own humanity and mental health. As a self-ministered healing tool, he shares that affirmations allow us to “undo, rewire and build new pathways inside our minds/spirits” to envision what true freedom can look like. Inspired by the text of author Joy Kazuko Muhammad, the world premiere chamber work echoes Joy’s own understanding of the power of mental liberation. Of her writings, Joy states: 

“These affirmations are a way of reflecting on what is possible when it comes to the belief(s) we have about ourselves…They are a way of fighting any narrative that is against our highest good. They are a gift to our ancestors, who often were not allowed to affirm themselves let alone activate their gifts or talents. These affirmations are a head nod to them, that now we choose to affirm ourselves and we choose to affirm ourselves in the highest light.”

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  Composer Yaz Lancaster

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  Composer Kevin Day

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  Composer Joe Williams

In 2026 and beyond, we actively choose to affirm ourselves, our agency, and our independence and invite you to join us in this declaration.

-Ashleigh Gordon

Artistic Director