Juneteenth
Friday, June 17, 2022
The importance of remembering American history
Teyte Holcomb News Editor On June 19, 1865, the history of America would forever be changed. Juneteenth is a national holiday recognizing and marking the end of slavery in the United States. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect in 1863, it could not be implemented in states still under Confederate control. After Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, more than 250,000 enslaved black people were officially free by executive degree. This day became known as “Juneteenth,” and the name was coined by the newly freed people of
Texas. The post-emancipation period, known as Reconstruction, lasted between 1865 and 1877 and it marked a time in the United States of great change and progression. Previously enslaved people were now considered legal U.S. citizens, and many seeked to reunite with their families and start a new life of their own. Juneteenth marks the nation’s “second Independence Day” and even though the holiday is a marker in history, it largely goes unnoticed to most Americans. In recent years, Juneteenth celebrations have erupted, including in Stillwater. In a press release from the City of Stillwater, a Juneteenth celebration will be held on June 18 at Southern Woods Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The event will include performances by The Hebrew Messengers,
Resse Da’Prophet Brown and many more. The event is planned throughout the year and seeks to encourage unity and healing in the Stillwater community. OSU Vice President of Student Affairs, Doug Hallenbeck, said he is excited and happy to see the university closed in commemoration of the national holiday. He said he hopes OSU students, faculty and staff will engage in the Juneteenth celebrations happening in Stillwater. Juneteenth marked a pivotal point in American history, and the celebrations associated with the holiday are a reminder of the progression and change the country has gone through. For more information on the history and legacy of Juneteenth, visit juneteenth.com.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Your call
Abby Cage
With the rise in football analytics, the act of punting or going for it on fourth down becomes a major debate among football fans.
Going for it on fourth down
Via Google Images Juneteenth is a national holiday remembered and celebrated that marks the legal end of slavery in the United States.
two in the 34-28 overtime loss to division rival Kansas City last December. Debate ensued for days after the Thursday night game whether Gabriel Trevino Staley and his stance on Sports Editor analytics which motivated the decisions to go for Brandon Staley many risky fourth downs made headlines and cre- instead of attempting ated chatter all around field goals was even corthe sport of football. rect, or if he was putting Staley, the firsttoo much thought into year Los Angeles Char- the numbers. gers coach, opted to “I don’t think that attempt five fourth down any decision that I made tries, only succeeding on was a gamble,” Staley
said. “We felt like it was an advantageous situation for us. That’s why we did it. If we didn’t feel like that was the case, then we would have kicked a field goal or we would have punted. That’s the way that we’re going to do things around here. I know that our team embraces that mindset. We’re going to continue to do it every game we play moving forward.” See Your call on 2
Countdown to kickoff: Shaun Lewis Braden Bush Staff Reporter Cowboy football is only 11 weeks away from its season opener against Central Michigan on Sept. 1. In honor of being 11 weeks out from football, The O’Colly sat down with a prominent No. 11 from OSU history, Shaun Lewis (Linebacker; 2010-13). Culture of 2011 The 2011 season, Lewis’ sophomore year, is still the Cowboys’ only Big 12 football championship season. He says the culture of that team is what allowed it be so special. Lewis: “It was a culture that demanded excellence. You had All-Americans on the team, you had Hall of Fame coaches on the team, you had just a collective conscience of brilliant minds and talented athletes and hard-work-
ing athletes. You didn’t want to be the weakest link or the reason why we didn’t have the success we later established and had. It was crazy, man. The level of accountability within that group was something that didn’t need to be talked about because it was expected and understood between teammates, coaches and everyone, so it was special.” Turnover machine In three of Lewis’ four years in Stillwater, the OSU defense finished the season top five in the country in the turnovers forced statistic, including a nation-best 3.4 turnovers forced per game mark in 2011. Lewis said it was just second nature. Lewis: “It was a mindset. We practiced turnovers so much that you didn’t think about it in the game. As far as what made (those seasons) special is just it was understood that when there was an opportunity to swipe at a ball or to get a pass breakup, in-
tercept a pass – you know, we want to play offense on defense. So we wanted the ball in our hands when we were on defense. So that’s the biggest thing, the mindset was just established, the repetition was beat into us at practice in a good way.” Most memorable game The 2010 Bedlam game was for the Big 12 South Division title and a spot in the conference championship game. OU went on to win, 47-41, in an all-time classic. Lewis had two interceptions (one for a touchdown). Lewis: “That entire game was just kinda ‘Welcome to the Big 12’ for me, because I was a freshman and that was my second pick that game and I had like (12) tackles. That entire game was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is happening.’
File Photo
See Lewis on 6
Linebacker Shaun Lewis (right, pictured in the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl) reflects on his time at Oklahoma State. Eleven weeks remain until OSU’s 2022 season opener against Central Michigan.