Washington celebrates Juneteenth Saturday

Editor:

Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when federal troops in the aftermath of the Civil War, finally found the last enslaved Blacks in Galveston, Texas, and issued “General Order # 3” which freed these final slaves from bondage.

General Orders No. 3 stated: “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 …"

As a nation we have struggled to make this order a reality. Racial strife, hatred and violence have marred our history in every generation since the Civil War down to George Floyd.

For a primarily white community, celebrating Juneteenth is an act of racial empathy and healing. All Americans, regardless of race, should join together to celebrate this Day of Freedom, because until all people are free, no one is actually free.

Here is another fact: in 2002, Gov. Tom Vilsack signed bipartisan legislation to recognize Juneteenth as an official Iowa holiday. Iowa became the seventh state to do so. Today 47 states recognize this holiday. It is now called “Juneteenth National Freedom Day.”

Most people in Iowa don’t even know what Juneteenth is letting alone that it is an official holiday. This isn’t just a holiday for Black people, but an American holiday.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Jaron Rosein issued a proclamation to make Juneteenth an official holiday for our community here in Washington. I applaud and thank the mayor for taking this bold step. And I think open-minded and fair-thinking residents will agree. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Several organizations in town are sponsoring a celebratory event this Saturday. The whole community is invited to come out and enjoy a fun and inspiring day. It is a family-friendly event.

The primary sponsors for the event are “MUSIC Inc.,” “Washington for Justice,” “Latinos for Washington,” “Washington State Bank,” and “Malott Law Firm.” Because of their generosity, a whole afternoon and evening is planned. Here’s what is taking place:

3 p.m. in Central Park — Children’s activities designed around themes of Juneteenth, freedom and diversity will take place including face painting, storytelling, crafts and art, and a museum exhibit from the African American Museum of Iowa. There also will be food vendors available.

5 p.m. on the bandstand — Juneteenth commemoration including the singing of the “Black National Anthem” by one of our own students of color in Washington and two speakers: Mr. Tom Moore from Cedar Rapids and Mr. Ture Morrow from Iowa City on the importance of celebrating Juneteenth.

6 p.m. on the bandstand — Kevin Burt, award-winning blues artist will perform a concert for 90 minutes. Kevin hails from Iowa City, and people that have heard him will tell you it is an experience worth taking in.

Join us as we embark as a community on a journey of racial healing. This will be an important step for our town as we work to become an inclusive community.

Dan Henderson

Washington

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