Juneteenth: A True Celebration of American Liberation

By Frankie Red Rosso, Staff Writer

 

“Grandmother of Juneteenth” nominated For Noble Peace Prize Winner Opal Lee

For most people, the Fourth of July holds significant meaning and symbolism and tradition to our American values. It’s a time for us to celebrate our Independence and Liberation from European Colonies. But how can we celebrate Independence and Liberty, if as a Nation we still had enslaved Africans and marginalized groups? Ironically, America coined the term “Land of the Free’’. But are we truly the Land of the Free if we still have enslavement and racism at the core of our nation’s values and customs?

While many believe Lincoln’s September 1862 Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, many are subsequently unaware of the fact that Black people remained enslaved in areas lacking the presence of Union troops to enforce these civil liberties. Through the celebration of our Independence, we continued to perpetuate a cycle of enslavement and injustice.

Which is why it is of the utmost importance that we uplift and popularize Juneteenth – a holiday that truly commemorates American liberation. Juneteenth, short for “June 19th”, represents the day in 1865 when Federal Troops entered Galveston, Texas, taking control of the state and ending enslavement for that state’s African Americans. Marking the true day of Freedoms and Liberty for People of Color.

Every year since, African Americans have marked that historic day with the celebration of Juneteenth. In 2021, Congress established it as a Federal Holiday, although Juneteenth has remained by in large- a Black holiday. With the modern-day Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter movement gaining much popularity in recent years as a way to combat police brutality and social injustice, Juneteenth has gained its notoriety and place in black culture. Being widely celebrated in cities and towns across the nation, Juneteenth presents the opportunity for all Americans to reflect on this nation’s history of slavery and to commit themselves to freedom and equality.

Author Alice Faye Duncan

However, new to many due to its lack of popularity, Juneteenth is not just a day for celebration and cultural connection, but education. That is why Broward County Libraries is doing their social responsibility in educating the public on the importance of the holiday. To celebrate and bring the community closer to the root of Juneteenth and all its significance- Broward County Libraries is hosting a star-studded online Speakers Panel presentation to recognize Juneteenth on Saturday- June 11th, in addition to hosting programs throughout the month that promote its message and importance to our nation’s historical timeline.

The panel ranges from an array of prominent Black figures and leaders with unique and diverse backgrounds. Panel Presenters include Professor Brenna Greer from Wellesley College, Certified Barbecue Judge Adrian Miller , Author Alice Faye Duncan, and Noble Peace Prize Recipient and Founder of Juneteenth— Opal Lee. The panel will take a deeper dive into intellectual and sociological conversations that surround Juneteenth such as: What happened on Juneteenth? Who wrote the Juneteenth order? Why was the Juneteenth order issued?

In addition to hosting this Speaker’s Panel in celebration of Juneteenth, as a part of an open series of Juneteenth events, Broward County Libraries is dedicated to recognizing and commemorating the strides and advancements of American retired educator, counselor, activist and now Noble Peace Prize Recipient Opal Lee, for her efforts and results in spearheading the movement to make Juneteenth a federally-recognized holiday.

Diving deeper into education for students about Juneteenth, Broward County Libraries will also have Professor Brenna Greer, who is an Associate Professor of History at Wellesley College. She is a Historian of race, gender, and culture in the Twentieth Century United States, who explores historical connections between capitalism, social movements and visual culture. Her first book, Represented: The Black Imagemakers Who Reimagined African American Citizenship, examines the historical circumstances that made media representations of Black citizenship good business after World War II.

Certified BBQ Judge Adrian Miller

“Of course, the events of June 19, 1865— when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the freedom of all enslaved people  —  fit logically within lessons about Reconstruction. However, I do not contain discussions or lessons about Juneteenth to courses focusing on the nineteenth century, because the history behind Juneteenth offers a prime opportunity to consider the disconnect between official policies of freedom, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, and Black people’s experience of freedom. In other words, the history of Juneteenth is very relevant to both past and present-day issues affecting Black citizenship in the United States,” says Professor Greer when asked about the importance of educating students on what Juneteenth is.

Beyond the classroom, it’s hard to fathom many places where conversations about the advancement of our people, is fostered. The importance of progressive tools and resources our schools and educational institutions implement to spread further knowledge and education on Juneteenth, are paramount as it pertains to spreading awareness and cultural responsibility.

Professor Greer says: “As a historian, I firmly believe the most useful and responsible — and therefore progressive — approach to learning about Juneteenth is studying primary sources. There are so many relevant, meaty, and engaging historical sources one can use to learn about and discuss the history and holiday of Juneteenth. A highly readable and appropriate book is Annette Gordon-Reed’s recent Pulitzer Prize-winning book On Juneteenth, which is a series of essays that reflect on the author’s home state of Texas and thoroughly contextualize the history and holiday of Juneteenth.”

Speaking of books and authors, what better curator than a library to Host an intellectual discussion about our cultural values and black customs? It wouldn’t be a library curation and Celebration of Opal Lee’s Legacy without a couple of Authors on the Speaker’s Panel to dive deeper into Juneteenth related conversations.

Professor Dr. Greer

One of the panelists isn’t just any ordinary author. Author Alice Faye Duncan is a National Board Educator who writes books for children; her most recent publication is about Opal Lee. Memory is her motivation. She writes to help people remember forgotten moments from American History.

“During the summer of the George Floyd tragedy in 2020, I was charged to write a children’s book about Grandmother Opal Lee and the meaning of Juneteenth. Her story is compelling because above the rage that tragic June, it was Opal Lee who encouraged all Americans to unite under the banner of Juneteenth” said Author Alice Faye Duncan.

As writer’s what drives us to write and create may vary subject to subject, but for Author Alice, it was about Opal Lee’s fearlessness and virtue. “As the celebrated, “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” her words mean that Juneteenth is not an exclusive “Black holiday.”

She continues, “When I interviewed Grandmother Opal Lee, she said, ‘children need to learn that the liberation of Black people was a collective effort. Abolitionists came in the form of men, women, and children, who were Black and White.  They were religious and non-religious.’ In the words of Opal Lee, I say, “Freedom is for everyone. Juneteenth is you and me,” said Author Duncan.

Aside from Opal Lee, her newest titles include, What it Means to be Free (A History of Juneteenth) and Evicted—The Struggle for the Right to Vote.

Another Author Panelist who has a unique career and skillset is Adrian Miller, who will take a more profound look into the celebration of our cultural food customs. From Denver, Colorado- Adrian Miller is a soul food scholar, James Beard Award Winner, Attorney, and Certified Barbecue Judge. Mr. Miller will discuss the history of African American barbecue culture detailed in his book Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue.

Beyond the mere education and representation of Juneteenth, there is the cultural aspect: how we celebrate and commemorate holidays. What seems to be most common are family gatherings- popularly referred to as cookouts, bbqs, potlucks, and in some cases picnics. You get the idea- lots of food, family, friends in fellowship— all celebrating in the name of Freedom. (Wow…notice the “F” pattern there?)

But have we ever stopped and asked ourselves what food represents Juneteenth? Is it safe to say soul food is what best represents our cultural food pallet? Adrian Miller says, “Soul food is a wonderful expression of our culture’s palate. It combines the ingredients and culinary techniques of West Africa, Europe, and the America’s in some ways.”

When we think about soul food, we typically have an idea of the highlighting dishes that represent our communities at large. “Some dishes that highlight our food culture are fried chicken, smothered pork chops, fried fish, greens, okra, red drink, peach cobbler, and pound cake,” says Adrian- highlighting the core and most popular soul food dishes commonly known in the Black community.

No matter what your food preferences are, the most important part of celebrating Juneteenth is recognizing and instilling its values. It’s a day that not only represents the true essence of freedom and the abolishment of slavery, but marks a new message in our modern-contemporary society. Fostering a culture proud of its Black heritage, African lineage, and advancements for People of Color. In the words of Opal Lee Herself: ‘No matter who you are, Juneteenth is a unifier that represents freedom’”.

For More Information on Broward County Libraries Juneteenth Event:

Visit: http://broward.libnet.info/event/6174220

About Carma Henry 24481 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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