VALDOSTA —
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862 but it would take almost two and a half years before Texas finally got the message from Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops. The slaves were free in all of the United States, including areas that considered themselves part of the Confederate States of America.
On Saturday, this momentous occasion was honored and celebrated by the Lowndes County community with the 20th Annual Valdosta Juneteenth Celebration; an event that is recognized in nearly every state.
Juneteenth is a portmanteau of June and the 19th; which is remembered as the date Texas “finally got the memo,” as speaker Dr. Shirley Hardin put it in front of the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse Saturday afternoon.
“The key focus is unification,” said Dr. Beverley Richardson-Blake, event organizer. “We open it to everybody; we want everybody to be one community. That’s our main goal.”
Hundreds of people attended the event - some to volunteer and others to celebrate with each other. Children romped on bounce houses; free lunches were given out and local organizations discussed their programs with attendees.
Casey Meadows is a career center facilitator at the Goodwill Career Center and said that many African-Americans in Lowndes County use their services, which include networking and computer application assistance.
Billy Hardy sold hand-made Afrocentric jewelry, accessories and crafts at the event. He grew up in the 1950s and said things have improved in some ways but have gotten worse in other areas.
“It seemed like back then more African-Americans had their own small businesses,” Hardy said. “We just fell through the cracks and failed to keep up with the times. Just for myself, I’m amazed I can do this. It makes me feel better about myself and hopefully it can help somebody else.”
For Memlon Williams, who is from New York, he said Juneteenth is a way for him to remember that blacks were made free. He was never exposed to Juneteenth celebrations in New York, but learned about them here in South Georgia.
“Separation of race in New York is based on area and where you live at, like Little Italy, Spanish Harlem or China Town,” he explained. “In Georgia, there are more areas that blacks and whites live together but don’t work, play and enjoy each other together.”
There were many music and entertainment features Saturday, including the “Youth Talent Explosion,” and “Gospel Fest.”
Dr. Hardin was the spoke at the event and guided the audience through Juneteenth history, local African-American leadership and recommended lifestyle changes.
“We thank God for the weather, for whatever condition we thank Him,” she opened her speech with. “We do honor him this afternoon, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is because of him we are all here today.”
She highlighted past educators and leaders, while calling out current African-American leaders such as Rev. Floyd Rose, George “Boston” Rhynes, attorney Roy Copeland and educator Ruth Council. Previous Valdosta Mayor Joseph “Sonny” Vickers was also celebrated for becoming the first African-American Mayor in Valdosta’s 152-year history.
Also mentioned were the first two African-American students to attend Valdosta State University. Hardin pointed out that the Robert Pierce wore a suit the first day of school in Sept. 1963 “to look educated, because he was educated.”
She asked that women “leave something to the imagination,” in their apparel, regardless of their age. She also encouraged young males to pull their pants up and to have more self-respect. The audience cheered in response to these
Hardin closed her speech with a rousing rendition of Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” which bounced off the buildings throughout downtown Valdosta.
“Out of the huts of history’s shame, I rise. Up from a past that’s rooted in pain, I rise. I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear, I rise. Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear, I rise. Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise; I rise, I rise.”
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