Neal-Marshall Center celebrates Juneteenth

The IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center is calling for people of all ages, races and backgrounds to celebrate "Juneteenth" Saturday. \nJuneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, the day victorious Union forces landed in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of all slaves.To honor the end of slavery, the center will present a festival in Bryan Park.\n"The Juneteenth celebration should not be only for black people," Oyibo Afoaku, director of the Black Culture Center, said. "It should be for everyone in the U.S. because it marked the end of the enslavement of human beings in U.S. history." \nJuneteenth embodies the birth of a truly free, democratic nation, Afoaku said. \n"You cannot talk about democracy, human rights or diversity while people are being enslaved," she said. \nThe Black Culture Center postponed the celebration for 10 days in order for more people to observe it this weekend.\nAfoaku said the celebration aims to educate the community about the history of slavery. It also promotes friendship and understanding among people of different races, cultures and traditions.\nThe annual celebration, scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be the fourth in IU history. The event will include food, live music, dancing, games, clowns and other entertainment. \nMusic groups scheduled to perform include the Afro-Hoosier Band International and the Kurt Lubbe Quartet. The West Indian Folk Dance Company from Chicago will hold a demonstration. A dozen vendors will be selling African food and soul food; African and African-American clothes; and ethnic accessories such as African beadwork.\nFrederick McElroy, professor of Afro-American studies, will speak at 1 p.m.\n"You will have fun, but also, you'll be able to learn what Juneteenth is all about, and why it is important in U.S. history," Afoaku said.\nAfrican-Americans in Texas began to celebrate the date as Juneteenth, and the custom spread across other states. And in December 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery across the United States.\nBecause slavery existed when the Declaration of Independence was issued in 1776, some elder African-Americans, especially those in the Western South, celebrate Juneteenth as their true independence day, said John McCluskey Jr., professor of Afro-American studies.\n"Those older people -- I do think -- feel that there's a special significance to Juneteenth," he said. McCluskey also said some African-American ancestors endured a period of delayed emancipation and began to honor the day they heard of their freedom.\n"It is my hope that (the Bloomington community) will begin to consider how complex history is and what those days mean for different Americans," he said. \nJunior Sekou Kante plans to attend the celebration and is hoping to see people of all ethnicities. \n"We would appreciate all people who come out, not just black people," Kante said. "It will be a truly great time to enjoy culture and great food all in one setting."\nKante will volunteer at a children's activities booth Saturday. \n"I'm going to try to make Juneteenth fun for children and instill a sense of pride in (people) about their heritage," he said. \nFor more information or to volunteer for the Black Culture Center Saturday, call 855-9271.