SGF Juneteenth: A city-wide collaborative holiday celebration

by Darline Mabins, Unite Contributing Writer

Springfield, MO—

As the month of January has come to an end. We remember the accomplishments, of Dr. Martin Luther King and look forward towards the month of February. February is not just considered by most to be the final month of winter. It is also Black History month. An annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a month that is set aside to recognize their central role in U.S. History. I have to say, that I remember this month throughout my academic career, as being a time where I learned of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and many other significant figures in history. However, I don’t remember learning about Juneteenth. I have to say, that my first-time hearing of Juneteenth was my senior year of college. College in, Springfield Missouri and I grew up in Kansas City Missouri…

September 22, 1862- President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation and issued it on January 1,1863 when the nation was approaching its third year of a civil war. The proclamation declared, “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free.”

Despite the expansive language, the proclamation was limited in many ways and did not end slavery in the nation. It did capture the hopes of many and changed the character of the war.

The Proclamation also announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling those freed to become liberators. It’s estimated that by the end of the war almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.

Fast forward to April 9th 1865, General Robert E Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant through an exchange of two short letters. The terms of the surrender was that the Confederates would be paroled after surrendering their weapons and other military property. If the surrendered soldiers did not take up arms again, the United States government would not prosecute them. This was thought to be the end of the war by many. Yet further south, the war waged on in Texas and in the Southwest.

June 19th, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and demanded that the states 250,000 plus enslaved people be set free. Granger read aloud, General Order No. 3: The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.”

Juneteenth marks the end of the military effort to maintain slavery and the beginning of the path towards true freedom. It celebrates the “absolute equality of personal rights,” that were gained by freed men, women and children. The ability to pursue the American dream, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and so much more.

For me, it marked the end of military efforts and the beginning of diplomatic efforts, that took shape in the form of advocacy and activism, among many other forms, as this nation worked towards, true freedom for African Americans. The work continues to this day, as we work towards equity in our community.

I look forward to Juneteenth because freedom is something that should be celebrated as a community. This year, the NAACP is collaborating with community members and leaders to hold a weekend long Juneteenth Celebration. It’s a time to celebrate those that came before us and paved the way for so many of us today. A time to celebrate the richness of the cultures that make up our diverse landscape. It may not be abundant diversity, yet; but it is always worth celebrating. I hope you will celebrate with us as a community, this year and many more years to come.