Juneteenth events scheduled in Washington

WASHINGTON — Washington For Justice has two events coming up to celebrate Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. on the day enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the last slaves in Galveston, Texas in 1865.

The advocacy group has plans to hold a movie screening on June 11, and a performance on June 18, both at the Washington Public Library.

The June 11 film is called “13th.” It’s a 2016 documentary about the prison system’s disproportionate effect on Black Americans, named after the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery but allowed involuntary labor as punishment for crimes. The June 18 performance features a poet by the stage name Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey, backed by jazz artist Randy Swift.

Rainey has headlined some of Washington’s Juneteenth lineups before. He said such performances were important for the holiday, since they can galvanize tough discussions about race and politics.

“They do a small thing, which is, have a Black man standing in front of a group saying, ‘Hey, look at me, I’m human. These are my experiences, this is how I view and live through this life,’” he said. “This performance is an invitation to see me as a human, rather than maybe even a political topic, rather than something to fear … art comes in through the heart, and then leads up to the brain. And so what it also does, is it allows us to approach a topic with empathy, with love, with this true curiosity.”

The holiday will see less fanfare this year than in years past. Washington For Justice first celebrated Juneteenth with a festival in Washington’s square in 2021, then with a weeklong string of events meant to foster discussion and community-building. Last year, it organized a potluck, film screenings and church service in town.

2024’s festivities will include only two events, neither of them on June 19 itself. Washington For Justice Director Dan Henderson said the group hoped to avoid competing with weekly church events on the Wednesday night, but said members were still enthusiastic about recognizing the holiday.

“More people gained their freedom on Juneteenth, in 1865, than the number of people who gained their freedom from Britain in 1776,” he said. “It behooves us to celebrate Juneteenth as much as we celebrate July 4. I think for people, particularly white people, if we don’t understand and find the reason to celebrate Juneteenth, I think that probably means we don’t understand what July 4 is all about.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com