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Even though my community was constantly struggling with the invisible shackles of segregation before 1960, we never forgot the heritage and customs that came here with our enslaved ancestors from Africa.

Whether some blacks want to admit it or not, our roots are anchored in soil rich in music, dance and socializing.

Most things we do are influenced in some way by music and dance. Even during slavery, we were allowed to sing and dance well before reading was allowed. Slaves sang songs that communicated the how, when and where the road to freedom would take place via the Underground Railroad.

I believe music and dance have helped the black race survive segregation and degradation, as well as other atrocities we have been forced to endure since being forcibly brought to America about 400 years ago.

This social interacting expresses our joy, pain, anger, fears, hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow.

Remember the lyrics to the song “I Sing Because I’m Happy”? “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Need I say more?

Music and dance helped create a sociable environment within our community that those outside its boundaries will never understand. We have always liked to get down with some good music, food and dance.

However, it’s the music that signals our bodies to pick a partner and go with the flow. Most of us have a natural affinity to start moving when the beat hits us. So, why should we try to disguise what moves us and makes us feel good?

To those who turn their noses up, I say, “If you cannot swing and sway with Marvin Gaye, then you are missing a really pleasurable time.”

I hope this helps to answer some questions I often get regarding social interaction in our early black communities. Our social outlets allowed us to relax, and at the same time, release some of those pent-up frustrations associated with the evils of segregation. Contrary to popular belief, we were never depressed.

In our early history, black folks were not mentioned in the social section of newspapers, especially in the South. Therefore, if you did not read the News for Our Colored Readers in the Enterprise, you were left with the impression black folks never had or attended social functions.

Everything we had or did sociably was the results of something called “separate but equal.”

Our early social outlets were juke joints, Griffin Casino, Kirby Arcade, bootleg houses, schools, Colored Municipal Park, Daniel Brooks Community Center, house parties, beer joints and block parties.
We even attended social events outside High Point.

Whether you consider these good, bad or ugly, they did provide a social outlet and generated revenue within our community.

You can trace and document our sociability as far back as one would like to research. From casual to formal affairs, our ancestors knew how to enjoy good food, drink, and get it on the good foot.
Thanks to my Chavis ancestors and a 103-year-old retired schoolteacher by the name of Melzetta Fowler Williams, I have some original tickets and invitations that go way back and I would like to share some with you.

These include:

• Alpha Gamma Fraternity requests the honor of your presence at its Debut Banquet on Friday evening, Oct. 5, 1923, at the Normal High School Dining room. Hours 8:15-11.
• The Championship Club of the Normal High School requests the honor of your presence at their “Spring Soiree,” Friday evening, May 13, 1927, at the Griffin Casino. Hours 8-11:30. Subscription 5¢, present at the door.
• The Cat’s Paw Club requests the honor of your presence at their Pre-Thanksgiving Ball, Friday Nite, Nov. 17, 1939, Kirby Arcade. Hours 9 – until. General admission 40 cents, couple 75 cents. Music by the Carolina Collegian Orchestra.

In addition to those, here are just a few of the hundreds of announcements that were posted in the Colored News Column.

• June 8, 1936: The Collegian Club of Greensboro, YLS Club of Winston-Salem, and the Young Men’s Social Club of High Point sponsored a June German Dance at the Central Labor Hall, N. Wrenn & Washington Streets. Music was furnished by Jimmie Gunn and his Dixie Serenaders with Fay Webb.
• Merry Makers Sport Club sponsored a hayride to Windsor Community Center in Greensboro on July 19, 1940. Trucks departed from E. Washington Street at 8 p.m.
• The Smart Set Club gave a formal banquet to honor their husbands at 824 Hilltop Street on April 14, 1941.

As a youngster, I remember well watching my mother and father get ready for the many formal dinner dances put on by the Patricians Club and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, just to name a few. Like our parents, most of our social contacts started early, and we encouraged our children to enjoy every opportunity to do likewise. After all, this is part of our black heritage that must never be forgotten.

Glenn Chavis researches and writes about High Point’s black history. Contact him at Storytime40@aol.com