African Americans celebrate their history on Juneteenth
By ALEXANDRA BISSONNETTE Special to the Daily Press
DOWNTOWN In a country with a complicated racial history, during an election year with race becoming a major issue, this year’s Juneteenth celebration at Virginia Avenue Park will recognize one more milestone on the path to equal rights.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas spreading the news that the Civil War was over and those enslaved were now free.
“Juneteenth is our independence day,” said LaVerne Ross, founder and CEO of the Juneteenth Celebration Committee.
Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1963, news of independence did not reach Galveston, Texas until two and a half years later.
Some speculate that the delay was the result of a murdered messenger, while others maintain that the news was deliberately withheld to keep up the plantation labor force.
“It could have been all the reasons, or maybe just one,” Ross said.
In the years since, Juneteenth has become a celebration of the changes that have been realized since the end of slavery.
“It recognizes the progress that has been made in this country over the past century,” Ross said. “From past struggles to present day politics, we have reached many milestones.”
Juneteenth is a relatively new holiday for Santa Monica. Despite its 150 year history, the holiday only achieved a public celebration in Santa Monica 16 years ago.
“When I arrived in California 52 years ago and June rolled around, I was so excited to celebrate Juneteenth,” Ross said.
She had become well-acquainted with the holiday having grown up in Texas where Juneteenth is widely celebrated and has been an official state holiday since 1980.
Unfortunately, Ross was in for a rude awakening when her school friend informed her, “They don’t do nothing like that here,” Ross said.
Ross spent many years asking herself, “Why don’t they celebrate Juneteenth in California,” lamenting the nearly forgotten holiday. Finally, in 1992, she asked herself a different question: “Why can’t that ‘they’ be me?”
With that, Ross took to the city to “bring an almost forgotten holiday to Santa Monica.”
Ross received an eager go-ahead from city officials, who had at the time been looking for ways to enhance the diversity of the city.
The theme of Santa Monica’s first Juneteenth was “40 acres and a Mule,” which is what the slaves were promised when they received news of their freedom, Ross said.
“We naturally had to hinge on how it originated.”
This year, the theme will be “Chains to Changes.” The keynote speaker will be Robin Petgrave, executive director of Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and there will be special appearances by members of the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II, and a historical exhibit room, including the African-American Odyssey display with Buffalo Soldiers.
“Every year the entertainment gets better. And it is designed for all ages,” said Betty Macias, who oversees programming at Virginia Avenue Park.
There will also be vendors serving BBQ, hush puppies, watermelon, ethnic clothing, jewelry and arts. The event will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“I think it will be a great educational experience for the entire community,” Macias said.
Juneteenth has become an annual event in Santa Monica, put on every year by Ross’ Juneteenth Celebration Committee.
The next step is to have Juneteenth be a holiday recognized by California law, as over half of the states have done already.
“You wouldn’t dare ask an African American to work on that day,” Ross said. “We can’t forget our legacy.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 20, 2008. Read the original PDF.