John Sims’ Sixth Annual Burn And Bury

YOU'RE INVITED May 31 from 2-4 PM!!!
To a live streamed funeral for the Confederate flag right in front of The Spirit of the Confederacy monument!!

Join the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) as we livestream the burial of the Confederate flag on FB, YouTube and Instagram. The ceremony commemorates HMAAC Monument Artist in Residence John Sims' sixth annual Memorial Day "Burn and Bury" ceremony in Houston.

We want to be sure we give the flag a proper burial, so we're bringing in special guests for its funeral. As the only African American cultural asset to own a Confederate monument, The Spirit of the Confederacy,
our job at HMAAC as custodians is to ensure, especially during current times, that the true narrative about hatred and its symbols is never forgotten.

We needed just the right pastor to give the sermon, and we will be fortunate to have with us Rev. Dr. Freddy Haynes, the prophetic pastor, passionate leader, social activist and eloquent orator and Senior Pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas. Gospel Singer Denise Fowler will give a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace followed by funeral remarks from Houston Poet Laureate and VIP Arts Houston Director Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton and Dr. Jordan Simpson. HMAAC Monument Artist in Residence John Sims will give the Eulogy and from Mississippi, Minister Melvin Richardson will give the Benediction.

This annual Burn and Bury event is part of Sims’ Recoloration Proclamation, a 20-year multi-media project which explores the complexity of identity, cultural appropriation and visual terrorism in the context of Confederate iconography and African-American culture. This project has featured recolored Confederate flags, installations, public performances, protest work, film, and the AfroDixieRemixes. Elements of the project have been performed in Soho, Harlem, Gettysburg, at the State Capitol in Columbia, SC, and on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco.

On Juneteenth (June 19th) as part of the HMAAC Residency, Sims will host an AfroDixieRemixes Listening Session featuring respondents In addition to HMAAC, similar Sims events are currently taking place at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 701 Center for Contemporary Art in Columbia, SC and the Tampa Museum of Art.