Juneteenth stresses freedom, education – Pueblo Chieftain

It's an annual commemoration dedicated to freedom; a celebration for freedoms already won in the knowledge that for all people of all colors to be truly free, the struggle must continue.

Nearing its 40th anniversary as a community institution, the 2017 Juneteenth Celebration -- its theme was "Bringing it Back Home" -- attracted people of all ages and backgrounds to Bessemer Park Saturday.

There, celebrants heralded the end of slavery via the Emancipation Proclamation -- read in its entirety as part of the ceremony -- while acknowledging the vast contributions blacks have made, and will continue to make, in society.

The future of young black leaders was ably represented in this year's royal court, led by Queen Brianna Forbes and Jr. Miss Juneteenth Serenity Sanford.

Supporting Forbes and Sanford were Queen attendants Kiaya Lucero-Lemons and Kiara Andrews, and Maelah Robinson-Castillo, this year's Jr. Miss Juneteenth attendant.

In addition to Forbes, Lucero-Lemons and Andrews, Anicca Roberts was selected as a 2017 scholarship recipient. All four young women, who are either in college or bound for it, read the well-scripted essays that helped secure them the educational stipend.

Thanks to those who come before, especially those who overcame the bonds of slavery, Andrews said today's generation has the "freedom to become what we desire, the freedom to live the way you want to live, the freedom to go any school, the freedom to say 'hi' to a stranger.

"The freedom to go and let your voice be heard."

Forbes and Sanford said that while they feel "humbled and blessed" to have been chosen as Juneteenth royalty, the meaning behind the celebration is what's most important to them.

"This means so much to me because I am a young African-American girl, and I see the hardships that African Americans go through, still to this day, even being free," said Sanford.

"Being American and being African-American, we're not as free as everyone else. So it's important for me to come out here with everyone and celebrate that I am black. This is who I am and this is what it means to me."

Being named Queen, Forbes believes, will allow her the opportunity "to step up in my community and really help unite Pueblo while making a stand for our black community.

"So this is a day to celebrate freedom and remember where we've come from -- how we've grown not only as a culture but as a nation. We have to remember to stand together as family and be thankful for the things we have today."

Gratitude also figured into the words of Rev. Shadrach J. Thomas, who delivered the invocation.

"We have a lot to be thankful for," he said. "As we look at this beautiful nation, our 45th president, where we are today: someone bled and died for this freedom."

The day was ushered in by a powerful performance of the national anthem by young Jaylen Sankey and an equally uplifting take on "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the traditional "Black National Anthem," by Sister Helen Wiley.

Celebrants also enjoyed a children's talent show, live music from local fave Carlos Crull and band, and smoky eats from Good in the Hood BBQ.

jpompia@chieftain.com

WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?

Also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. A melding of "June" and "nineteenth," Juneteenth was first established in Texas as a state holiday in 1980.

By 2008, nearly half of the U.S. states observed the holiday as a ceremonial observance. And as of May 2016, when the Maryland legislature approved official recognition of the holiday, 45 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday, a day of observance.

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Juneteenth stresses freedom, education - Pueblo Chieftain