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Monrovia’s Inaugural Juneteeth Celebration Matters
Monrovia Weekly Jun 25, 2020
Photos by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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Friday, June 19, 2020, will be remembered as a milestone in citiesacross the United States, including Monrovia.
Approximately 400 people attended the inaugural JuneteenthCelebration at Station Square Park early Friday evening.
Poetry, music and voter registration tables garnered a lot ofactivity, according to organizers who were hoping to inspire young people toregister for this significant and important November election.
The people who attended the inaugural event came from all walks oflife, ages and ethnicity. One man’s young daughter sported a t-shirt which read“Say it loud. I’m Black Cambodian and I’m proud.” while she danced to themusic. The slogan harks back to the chant so familiar in the 1960s and ‘70s when“Say it loud. I’m Black and I’m proud.” became an anthem for justice for Blackpeople in America. The mantra dates back to the late James Brown’s song, releasedin August 1968 — a mere few months after Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. wasassassinated at the height of the civil rights movement.
While many in the audience last Friday were too young to havelived during the Black Power movement in the 1960s, the elders who attended recognizedthe deeply profound significance the 1960s had on all of us in the UnitedStates and how far we have come and yet still need to go.
With a decidedly different feeling to the recent weeks of protestsand peaceful civil disobedience, Juneteenth in Monrovia evoked positivity andpeace at a time when we perhaps need it most. The dancing and general air ofgood will was self-evident in the powerful performances of the musicians andspeakers. There was no anger, just anticipation that we might become lessdivided as a nation, perhaps respect and revere our differences.
Those in attendance Friday evening included Councilman Larry Spicerand former School Board Member Terrence Williams who were delighted with theturnout of so many people. “It’s wonderful to see so many ages and differentbackgrounds … the weather is perfect.” said Spicer.
At such a crucial time in America’s history, it was evident Fridaythat love is, without doubt, a very powerful force.
Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americansin Confederate states learned they were free 155 years ago. While PresidentAbraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, slaveswere still held captive in Texas until the end of the war. Major General GordonGranger announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery, inGalveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
Monrovia City Councilmembers have requested that staff prepare areport to recognize Juneteenth (June 19) as an official city holiday. Many,like Councilwoman Gloria Crudginton, believe that Juneteenth should be anofficial National holiday.
“I think it is far more important that Columbus Day,” Crudgingtonsaid.
“2020 may be the year it reaches a new decisive moment ofepoch-making recognition,” the Associated Press reported last Friday.
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