Weekend festival to celebrate end of slavery

The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center will present its annual Juneteenth "Celebration of Freedom" on Saturday. The celebration will take place at Bryan Park and will last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.\nGloria Gibson, associate vice chancellor of multicultural affairs, will give the opening remarks, followed by the keynote speaker, Paulette Paterson Dilworth, from the IU School of Education. \nJuneteenth is a traditional festival that celebrates the end of slavery. It takes place most commonly in African-American communities. The holiday started on June 19, 1865, and quickly became a holiday celebrated throughout the United States. Grace Jackson, director of the African American Cultural Center Library, said she feels the celebration is very important and should be recognized as a tradition. \n"African Americans have celebrated Juneteenth throughout history," Jackson said. "It's been passed down from generation to generation. I think it's great they kept up the tradition."\nThis year's celebration is important because it will be a source of education to those who don't know what Juneteenth represents. Though there are many day-long festivals in the United States, some people in attendance don't know what they are celebrating.\nPresident Abraham Lincoln emancipated the slaves on Sept. 22, 1863, and gave his official Emancipation Proclamation speech on Jan. 1, 1863. It was not until two years later on June 19, 1865, that government officials were sent to southern states to order compliance with the Emancipation Proclamation.\nJackson said that is one of the most important facts in African-American history. \n"I think it is interesting when African Americans enslaved initially didn't find out until 1865, and no one was about to tell them," she said.\nRochelle Tinsley, a member of the Juneteenth committee, says she had no knowledge of the festival until she came to IU. This lack of knowledge is exactly why many people said they feel it is important for the history to be explained at the festivals, especially here in Bloomington. \nTinsley said she feels it is essential for others to know about the history.\n"It is important to share your culture and your history with whatever community you are living in," Tinsley said. "Otherwise, especially today, what you see on TV is what you become in the eyes of others -- a 'stereotype.'" \nThe way you share the history is as important as sharing the history, Jackson said. At the beginning of the festival Saturday, there will be a brief presentation sharing the history of Juneteenth and what it means to African Americans. \n"The speaker is a big part of the celebration," Jackson said. "A lot of African-American history is passed down orally. Spoken word is very important in our culture."\nOthers said they feel the celebration is important in the Bloomington community because of the lack of diversity outside of the IU campus. \nJoby Wright, head of the IU Lecture Department of Recreation and Parks Administration, said he feels the festival isn't just good for African Americans but for the enlightenment of the entire community. \n"It is good to have a greater appreciation of differences and the aspects of the different cultures that live here," he said. "It is good to get to participate in community activities that broaden the perspective about others who live here." \nThe celebration will not only be a history lesson, but a time to get to know people, have fun and eat some soul food. There will be children's activities, Hip-Hop Congress, lunch and dinner, a high school graduation recognition celebration, an open mic talent show, the Afro-Hoosier Band and a performance by the Anointed Harvest Choir. Wright said he is looking forward to the festivities and hopes his children also will gain insight from the experience.\n"I hope my children will benefit and become educated about Juneteenth and get a historical perspective," he said. \nTinsley said she feels it is an opportunity to have fun and get to know people in the community. \n"I look forward to seeing the various ethnic groups in attendance enjoying the festival, meeting new people and reflecting in the history of Juneteenth," she said.