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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Juneteenth is this month.
June-what? Just what the heck is Juneteenth?
It sounds like a made-up name, and, actually, it is a made-up name for a very real occurrence.
Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day the majority of the last slaves, who were in Galveston, Texas, learned that President Abraham Lincoln two and a half years earlier had signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
It seems that 142 years later, many people north of Texas are in the dark about the celebration of the end of some of the darkest days in American history. In 1980, Texas became the first and only state to designate June 19 as a holiday. While festivals have grown to other cities and states across America, many people are clueless when it comes to Juneteenth.
"All African-Americans, by natural birth, should be affiliated with Juneteenth," said Grace Stiles, founder and director of the Stiles African-American Heritage Center. "Black people have two days that celebrate freedom: The 19th of June is just as important as the 4th of July."
Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, can last a day or a week in various cities and is filled with contests, food, parades and speakers. It is a reflection of community spirit, celebration and heritage. The day is full of reflections of the time in American history that shaped, and continues to influence, society today. It is a moment taken to appreciate the trials of slavery and the joy of freedom.
Though Colorado has boasted some of the largest gatherings, the size of the celebration has dwindled from the streets of Denver's Historic Five Points neighborhood over the course of a weekend in past years, to either a portion of a park and sometimes a half of a block.
"When I heard there wasn't going to be a Juneteenth, I thought, 'This just can't be,'" Stiles said. "I knew we could do this ourselves."
Stiles celebrated Juneteenth in the half-block in front of her center, located at 2607 Glenarm Place.
"We need to continue to participate and be involved to celebrate our heritage," she said.
Some possible reasons cited regarding the dwindling numbers for tRehe event include past violence and lack of funding.
"Either people don't know their heritage or the past violence has scared people," said Denver resident Pamela Young. "But people need to know that this can be a wonderful celebration."
About four years ago, gang threats, fights and gunshots began to be commonplace as the festival would wind down. This caused many vendors and sponsors to pull out, including the city of Denver, which used to subsidize the festival.
Lack of official sponsorship left many in the community to wonder whether the event should be held at a venue like the Kingdom of Glory church. The church has been a part of Juneteenth planning and organizations for the past three years.
"This costs money," said Juanutha Jacobs-Brennan, pastor of the Kingdom of Glory church. She estimates having spent $20,000 from personal and church finances on this year's event.
"Keeping this alive is worth it. I hope people see and appreciate the effort and next year come alongside with us and celebrate," she said.
But the limited amount of vendors and activities at the celebration didn't hold much attention for some.
"There's just not much going on," said 15-year-old Samerah.
"It's lost its touch," agreed her friend and Five Points resident, Ariel.
Both girls are long-time attendees of Juneteenth.
Not everyone is dampened by the lack of people.
"The number of people may have changed but the substance and spirit has not," said the Rev. Leon Kelly, executive director of the Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives.
Kelly was one of the speakers at this year's Juneteenth celebration and has been involved with the Denver celebrations for 19 years.
"From what it used to be to what it has become, is heart-breaking, really,"Stiles said.
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