Juneteenth in Phoenix 2021
What is Juneteenth?
A time in history before cell phones. A time in history before landlines. A time in history before television. A time in history before radio. When news spread so slowly that it would take two and a half years for it to reach Texas from Washington D.C. What news could have been so important? Something that would change the lives of so many people in The United States. News that required the Union Troops presence in Texas to ensure it’s delivery and enactment. It was the Emancipation Proclamation passed on January 1, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. It wasn’t until June, 19 1865 that 250,000 African Americans in Texas learned they were officially free from slavery (nmaahc).
Why did it take so long?
The Emancipation Proclamation freed African Americans enslaved in the Confederate territories. The Union Army continued to fight and spread the news to the south. It wasn’t until General Granger arrived in Galveston Texas two and half years later that the people in Texas learned of their freedom. The celebration initially known as “Jubilee Day” sparked an annual celebration that has migrated across the nation (History.com.) This new found freedom was met with new challenges and struggles. The Reconstruction Era was a time in which African Americans began to reunify, build, develop and grow.
Awareness of Juneteenth
I first learned about Juneteenth when I moved to Texas for college, my birth state. I wish I had learned about it sooner. Being an Army brat, I moved around a lot. This afforded me the opportunity to learn the history of each state in which I lived. Juneteenth in Texas is a huge celebration. I was pleasantly surprised when I left Texas only to be able to enjoy the celebration in other states as well. Juneteenth is to many African Americans what July 4th is to all Americans. It is the official day many African Americans celebrate their independence and freedom.
Juneteenth in Phoenix
In 1979 Texas officially declared Juneteenth as an official holiday. According to History.com as of 2015 Juneteenth is celebrated in 47 states. Phoenix has celebrated Juneteenth for the past 30 years. Juneteenth.com highlights some past Juneteenth events in Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Yuma. It still surprises me how many people have not actually heard of Juneteenth. You can find many events in the Phoenix area with great food, music, history, games and love. It’s a time to remember our history, pay respects to our ancestors, embrace the present, and hope for the future. If this is the first time you have heard of Juneteenth I encourage you to research more and explore your local area for Juneteenth Celebrations.
“No one is free, until we are all free.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebrating Juneteenth in Phoenix 2021
Spoken Word and All You Can Eat Catfish
JUNE 18 from 6-10 PM
111 W Boston St
Chandler, AZ 85225-9514
Phx Influencers presents
June 18 at 8pm
8375 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Door prizes at the top of each hour. Food trucks, DJ, local vendors, and hookah specials available.
June 19 from 11AM-7PM
West Point High School
11620 W Encanto Blvd.
Avondale, AZ 85392
Let’s get reunited, reacquainted and it’s gonna feel so good.
June 19 from 3- 8 PM
Mark Coronado Park
15850 North Bullard Avenue
Surprise, AZ 85374
June 19 from 2pm-8pm
3602 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040
Chandler 4 Change Freedom Week
June 15-19
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
June 19 from 2-7pm
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 East Indian Bend Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
