Doug Kerr
Well-known member
Juneteenth (named for "June nineteenth") is a holiday that celebrates the freeing of all slaves in the US states then in rebellion with the United States (that is, in the Civil War) by order of US president Abraham Lincoln by way of the "Emancipation Proclamation" (you know, that arch example of "imperial presidency" we hear complained about so much these days) .
Although the proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862, to come into effect on January 1, 1863, it was largely ignored by the states in rebellion, including Texas, even after the cessation of Civil War hostilities (officially on May 10, 1965).
A major step forward happened on June 18, 1865, when U. S. General Gordon Granger, with 2000 federal troops, landed in Galveston, Texas. The next Day, June 19, General Granger read, from the balcony of a mansion in Galveston, "General Order No. 3", which reminded the people of the provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation ("The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."), and he advised that the state of Texas was now under Federal control with regard to enforcement of the Proclamation.
In Alamogordo, the annual Juneteenth celebration is hosted by the local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Friends of the Alamogordo Library (of which Carla is a member).
This year (on 2014.06.21) the program included poetry readings, historical presentations, and story telling. Here we see Sarah ("Juba") Addison, a respected story teller (this is a recognized art form), telling a poignant story related to freedom for slaves:
Carla C. Kerr: Juba tells a story about freedom
Finally, there was a musical event, a percussion band of varied African drums, where most of the players were in fact recruited from the audience. They were taught the rhythms and words of a song in some African language (not sure which).
Here we see the leader, Camilla Dodson, and (rear) one of her volunteer drummers (but in fact an actual drummer):
Carla C. Kerr: Camilla and a sideman
Here we see Carla on the djembe:
Paul Logner: Carla on the djembe
Carla says it was a great event.
Best regards,
Doug
Although the proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862, to come into effect on January 1, 1863, it was largely ignored by the states in rebellion, including Texas, even after the cessation of Civil War hostilities (officially on May 10, 1965).
A major step forward happened on June 18, 1865, when U. S. General Gordon Granger, with 2000 federal troops, landed in Galveston, Texas. The next Day, June 19, General Granger read, from the balcony of a mansion in Galveston, "General Order No. 3", which reminded the people of the provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation ("The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."), and he advised that the state of Texas was now under Federal control with regard to enforcement of the Proclamation.
This would be described in Texas today as "hearing how the cow ate the cabbage".
As a result, the holiday named for that date (and officially observed annually on that date) has come to be the principal celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a formal holiday in 43 of the US states and nationally (although it is not of the class calling for a "day off" from work).In Alamogordo, the annual Juneteenth celebration is hosted by the local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Friends of the Alamogordo Library (of which Carla is a member).
This year (on 2014.06.21) the program included poetry readings, historical presentations, and story telling. Here we see Sarah ("Juba") Addison, a respected story teller (this is a recognized art form), telling a poignant story related to freedom for slaves:
Carla C. Kerr: Juba tells a story about freedom
Finally, there was a musical event, a percussion band of varied African drums, where most of the players were in fact recruited from the audience. They were taught the rhythms and words of a song in some African language (not sure which).
Here we see the leader, Camilla Dodson, and (rear) one of her volunteer drummers (but in fact an actual drummer):
Carla C. Kerr: Camilla and a sideman
Here we see Carla on the djembe:
Paul Logner: Carla on the djembe
Carla says it was a great event.
Best regards,
Doug