[Ohio-talk] Happy Juneteenth Celebration

[Cheryl Fields]

JW, right back at you! Happy Juneteenth! Cheers! Cheryl fields

On 6/19/14, Smith, JW via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I write to wish you a happy Juneteenth and hope that if you have not heard
> of this day of celebration that you will visit Juneteenth.com and learn more
> about it. For those of you very familiar with it, I hope that your day of
> celebration is a glorious one. Below I have included some general
> information about this special day (June 19th) for both your information and
> inspiration.
>
> Have a great day.
>
> Jw
>
> The History of Juneteenth
>
> Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of
> slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that
> the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at
> Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were
> now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln's
> Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The
> Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal
> number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the
> surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General
> Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and
> overcome the resistance.
>
> Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of
> this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down
> through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered
> on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was
> deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the
> plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for
> the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before
> going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or
> neither of these version could be true. Certainly, for some, President
> Lincoln's authority over the rebellious states was in question   For
> whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond
> what was statutory.
>
> Juneteenth Festivities and Food
>
> A range of activities were provided to entertain the masses, many of which
> continue in tradition today. Rodeos, fishing, barbecuing and baseball are
> just a few of the typical Juneteenth activities you may witness today.
> Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self-improvement. Thus,
> often guest speakers are brought in and the elders are called upon to
> recount the events of the past. Prayer services were also a major part of
> these celebrations.
>
> Certain foods became popular and subsequently synonymous with Juneteenth
> celebrations such as strawberry soda-pop. More traditional and just as
> popular was the barbecuing, through which Juneteenth participants could
> share in the spirit and aromas that their ancestors - the newly emancipated
> African Americans, would have experienced during their ceremonies. Hence,
> the barbecue pit is often established as the center of attention at
> Juneteenth celebrations.
>
> Food was abundant because everyone prepared a special dish. Meats such as
> lamb, pork and beef which not available everyday were brought on this
> special occasion. A true Juneteenth celebrations left visitors well
> satisfied and with enough conversation to last until the next.
>
> Dress was also an important element in early Juneteenth customs and is often
> still taken seriously, particularly by the direct descendants who can make
> the connection to this tradition's roots. During slavery there were laws on
> the books in many areas that prohibited or limited the dressing of the
> enslaved. During the initial days of the emancipation celebrations, there
> are accounts of former slaves tossing their ragged garments into the creeks
> and rivers to adorn clothing taken from the plantations belonging to their
> former 'masters'.
>
> Juneteenth in Modern Times
>
> Today, Juneteenth is enjoying a phenomenal growth rate within communities
> and organizations throughout the country. Institutions such as the
> Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring
> Juneteenth-centered activities. In recent years, a number of local and
> national Juneteenth organizations have arisen to take their place alongside
> older organizations - all with the mission to promote and cultivate
> knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.
>
> Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while
> encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it
> takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events
> of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this
> fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing.
>
> The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states
> creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase. Respect and
> appreciation for all of our differences grow out of exposure and working
> together. Getting involved and supporting Juneteenth celebrations creates
> new bonds of friendship and understanding among us. This indeed, brightens
> our future - and that is the Spirit of Juneteenth.
>
>
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