Texana – About 30 people came to the Texana Community Center on June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. Although Juneteenth didn’t become federally recognized until 2021, when President Joe Biden signed it into legislation, it has been celebrated since the 1860s.
The date commemorates the fall of slavery in Galveston, Texas, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 to free enslaved black people held in the Confederacy. The holiday symbolizes the people moving from being enslaved to free.
The celebration at the community center included a spiritual and heartfelt dance by Mary Brown-Wilson.
“I love music,” she said. “I can’t sing, but I can dance. It’s an expression of my love for dancing and for Christ. It shows people the movement of the lyrics.”
A moving speech was given by Veleda Jackson. “The holiday should remind everyone that slavery was abolished, yet freedom wasn’t granted for many, for over two years,” she said.
Murphy Mayor Tim Radford was in attendance at the celebration.
“We are proud to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth as a significant milestone in our nation’s history,” he said. “This day reminds us of the resilience and strength of the African-American community in the face of adversity. Juneteenth represents an opportunity for our community to reflect on the progress we have made toward equality and recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight against racism and injustice.
“It was my honor to attend the ceremony and learn more about our nation’s newest federal holiday.”
Festivities included a raffle for a hummingbird cake that was made by Brenda Blount, a gift basket with a handmade wreath from Mary Hall, and a T-shirt and candles made by Dawn Colbert. Bingo was played for prizes, while lunch was served and paid for by the community center.
Eurial Turner, president of the Texana Community Development Club, was happy with the event. “We’d like to see it continue to grow,” he said.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a state proclamation on June 19.
“Juneteenth is a day to celebrate black heritage, history and freedom,” Cooper wrote. “It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made, while understanding that we must tackle the longstanding inequities and racism that still exist.”