Juneteenth
celebration of freedom recognized
By
Tatiana Logan
Summer Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
At Long Beach’s Martin Luther King Jr. Park, a Juneteenth celebration
Saturday brought the community together.
People at booths sold food, clothes and gifts, and children played games, rode
ponies and played in bounce houses.
Long Beach Transit, Sprint and informational stands were at the celebration.
Gospel groups performed live and gospel singer Andrea Crouch sang. Aundrae
Russell from KJLH radio station hosted the event.
“I’ve been a part of this celebration for five years,” Crouch
said.
“It’s uplifting for the community and it’s a great way to reach
out to people who don’t go to church that often.”
Black history is usually celebrated in February in remembrance of the outstanding
contributions from Blacks in the United States. In addition to Black History
Month, there is the Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth celebrations are common
in Southern states but, in the last decade, they have made their way west.
The celebration originated in Texas. When the Emancipation Proclamation was
signed in 1862, many people thought all slaves were free, but, in Texas, the
slaves were not free until two years later.
Finally, Gen. Gordon Granger was sent to Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation.
Gen. Granger brought 18,000 soldiers and took command of the District of Texas,
spreading hope throughout the state.
June 19th became Freedman’s Day, where parades, bands, speechesare organized,
as well as eating and drinking. Juneteenth is now celebrated with festivals,
picnics, games and reunions. However, it is not recognized as an official holiday.
“Juneteenth is validation that we are human beings and great achievers,” said
John Malveus, the coordinator of the entertainment and fundraising.
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