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published: Friday, July 03, 2009
Clermont marks Juneteenth
MILLARD K. IVES
Staff Writer
CLERMONT -- In an auditorium packed with singing, speeches, awards, presentations and jubilations, the Clermont community last Saturday celebrated Juneteenth -- a holiday that recognizes the end of slavery.
More than 100 people filled the Jenkins Auditorium in downtown Clermont for the city's annual celebration. Shelly Hastings, the keynote speaker, talked about the joy of arriving to the end of slavery.
"It may have been dark a long time, but the morning is here," she said.
The event included plenty of entertainment - raffles, solos, performances by local group EBON recording artists and the singing of the Negro National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
But the celebration included plenty of discussion on Juneteenth, a holiday that recognizes the abolition of slavery in the U.S. State of Texas in 1865.
In fact, Hastings told the crowd she wouldn't even call it a celebration.
"It's not a celebration but a community coming together," she said to applause.
New at this year's remembrance were the two scholarships awards - East Ridge High School's Cherry Alston and Michelle Carroll - for writing the winning reports on the holiday last school year.
Both read their reports that were critical of the American government for not giving up reparations as well states for not offering apologies for slavery or recognition of Juneteenth - in light of other demographics the country has paid for wrongdoing.
"If (they) received apologies, African Americans should get one as well," said Austin, reading a Juneteenth
Carroll said she wasn't that familiar with the holiday, until she went to her school's guidance office to get information on scholarships - and was handed a flyer about the Juneteenth report contest.
"It was just a surprise," Carroll said.
Hastings as well as Soyini Ayan, Asher Ledwidge and Dolores Gano Walker were recognized as "outstanding community members." Florence Alexander received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award.
"We just thought it would be a good year to recognize members of our community," said Audrey Morgan, an official with Juneteenth of Clermont Inc.
Mayor Harold Turville read a city proclamation on the holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates June 18 and/or 19, 1865.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on Sept. 22, 1862, declared freedom for slaves, was suppose to take effect on Jan. 1, 1863 - but only in Confederate states - thus had minimal to no immediate effect.
According to Wikipedia.com, June 18 is the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation, while June 19, 1865 is when he was supposed to have read the order.8
