Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2020

19 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.VOICEofMPpodcast.com — [maybe just] an idea about Gullah-related items, such as sweetgrass baskets, “Kumbaya” and hoppin’ john. When I’m on stage telling stories about these things, it begins to click. People realize they might have heard the song before, or at least a slightly different version of it. Gullah has actually informed a bunch of styles of music — jazz, folk music, gospel and spirituals — because it was started so long ago. So, when a woman in the Midwest came up to me and said she remembered singing a similar song when she was at camp as a little girl, I could point out that Gullah was the root, and the connection was made. MPM: What is your intention as you introduce Gullah to the rest of the world? BD: To continue the work of folks who have gotten the message out there before me — community activists, such as Queen Quet and Sarah Diaz. Using social media and my status as a chef, I can help channel that energy to let people know that this culture is still vibrant, and we are still pushing. CS: Likewise — it’s a way to entertain people and teach them, too. MPM: Did you know each other before this interview? BD: Absolutely. I really appreciate the talents of Ranky Tanky. Kevin Hamilton, their bassist, is actually my cousin. Their songs take me right back to my grandmother’s church — old and small, with maybe 20 people there. But the energy was loud and vicarious with clapping and chanting. CS: I am familiar with BJ’s food and have enjoyed it. Now, don’t ask me how to prepare it because I couldn’t tell you. There is something so special about the way my parents and grandparents prepared dishes like hoppin’ john or shrimp ‘n grits. It’s uniquely Gullah, and that’s the way BJ cooks it. 1039 Hwy. 41, Suite 500 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 843.971.1993 drtaragriffin.com P reventative D entistry i mPlant D entistry C osmetiC s erviCes r estorative D entistry D ental s avings P rogram feature