Juneteenth commemorates
the end of slavery on Texas

by Kacie Foster
331-4378 | kdf@heraldt.com

June 21, 2006

Although President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves, effective Jan. 1, 1863, the news didn't reach Texas until June 19, 1865.

Texas slaves celebrated their freedom that day, now known as Juneteenth.

Now in the 141st year, with freedom-celebrating commemorations nationwide, Juneteenth in Bloomington will be a combined effort by the IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and community members. It will be the eighth annual local Juneteenth Freedom celebration.

It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with a parade starting at the center, 275 N. Jordan Ave., and ending at Bryan Park. The event is free and open to the public.

Juneteenth represents freedom and justice, said Oyibo Afoaku, director of the center.

"It means that finally my ancestors were freed from slavery," Afoaku said. "No society can be democratic when part of the population is being enslaved."

Eboni Gatlin, a student assistant at the center, said she didn't know much about Juneteenth until recently.

"(Slaves) were still being taken advantage of," Gatlin said. "We take for granted that we can know information in a matter of seconds."

Juneteenth activities will include a parade, clowns, food, a drumming workshop, discussion, arts and crafts.

The Zeta Phi Beta sorority is hosting a canned food drive to benefit the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Susan Johnson, president of Upsilon Kappa Zeta graduate chapter, said the drive will be at their information table.

She learned about Juneteenth from her church and family while growing up in Florida.

"It's not something I learned at school," Johnson said. Recently, history books are being written to include Juneteenth and its significance, she said.

IU sophomore Stephanie Thomas has been working on Juneteenth publicity and organization at the Neal-Marshall center. She knew not all slaves were freed immediately, but she didn't know there was a holiday for it until recently.

"I hope the word will be spread around," she said. "A lot of my friends aren't aware."

About 1,000 people attended Juneteenth events last year, Afoaku said, and she expects to exceed that this year.

"It's not just for black people," she said. "It's for every American citizen, resident and friend of the U.S."

In case of bad weather, the parade will be canceled and the event will be in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. For more information, including how to join the parade, call the center at 855–9271.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a day to honor the memory of slaves and their progression to freedom.

Juneteenth in Bloomington is a combined effort by the IU Neal- Marshall Black Culture Center and community members. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with a parade starting at the center, 275 N. Jordan Ave., and ending at Bryan Park. The event is free and open to the public.

10 a.m.: Parade starts at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and ends at Bryan Park.

11 a.m.: Opening remarks by Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan, Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart and IU Vice Chancellor Richard McKaig. Followed by keynote speech by Delia Alexander, a graduate student in folklore at IU and co-host of WFHB program "Bring It On."

Noon: Blackberry Jam Band.

1:10 p.m.: Drumming workshop by Austin Okigbo and Mamou.

2:15-3:45 p.m.: Toby Foyeh and Orchestra Africa performing.

3:55 p.m.: Closing remarks by Charles Sykes, executive director of the African-American Arts Institute.

For more information, including how to join the parade, call 855–9271.