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Juneteenth celebrates freedom
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Published: June 14, 2009
The tantalizing smell of food grilling wafted through the air and booths full of merchandise lined the sidewalks of "The Flat" on Saturday for the annual Juneteenth celebration.
Sponsored by Iredell Men Preparing Appropriately for Community Transformation (IMPACT), the event to commemorate the official end of slavery kicked off at noon.
"Juneteenth is a day that remembers when Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and informed the slaves that they were free and that Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Procla-mation," said Woody Woodard, IMPACT president.
"It's significant because the date was June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the document was signed. It was said that when they were told, the slaves jumped, danced, yelled and rejoiced. Others immediately took off to find their kinfolk, and some had no idea where to go."
Saturday's event was held to "instill pride, have a good time and convey information," he said.
The celebration featured a re-enactment, praise dancers and live music.
"This is the only known recognition or celebration of the end of slavery. I think Americans like to forget about the more unpleasant points in history, but there is a saying that if you don't remember history that you are likely to repeat it," Woodard said.
Wal-Mart, the City of Statesville, Iredell-Statesville Schools, WHEEL, the Statesville branch of the NAACP and Toyota West also contributed to the event. Other participants included New Beginning Church Choir, Chestnut Grove Praise Dancers and the Youth Council of the NAACP Statesville chapter.
"We're having a bake sale to raise money to fund our mission," said Youth Council President Nakayla Griffin. "We bring youth together and fight to stop gang violence and teen pregnancy. Hopefully, we'll get at least $200 to $300 for our cause."
Griffin hoped that the day could be one of remembrance.
"I hope we can come together, unite, celebrate and be happy," she said.
WHEEL Vice President Tammy Williams was on hand with several of her fellow organization members to create "Wheelville," an interactive station for kids.
"We participate every year as a sponsor and do face painting, ring toss, coloring, snacks and parachutes," she said. "This is a day of remembrance and a festive event. It's important for the younger generation to recognize where we've been and how far we've come, so in the future they can continue to honor this day."
At noon, Skip McCall, president of the Statesville NAACP chapter took the stage to officially start the day and introduce Mayor Costi Kutteh, who issued a proclamation for the 2009 Juneteenth celebration.
"Juneteenth is really the African-American's Independence Day and a good opportunity to reflect back on those who gave their blood, sweat and tears for the sweetest word: freedom," McCall said.
He said the new president was proof of how far the country has come.
"Only in America could we go from the outhouse to the White House," he said. "Be proud of your country and let's celebrate."
Kutteh stepped up after the "Star-Spangled Banner" and presented the city's proclamation.
"It's my pleasure to present this proclamation," he started. He provided the background of Juneteenth and added how grateful the African-Americans must have been to cast off the shackles of slavery.
"This is an occasion to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices," he said. "We now celebrate the heritage of the African-American population and how fantastic it is that Statesville has such a vital and diverse community."
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