A Juneteenth Like No Other This Year
A pandemic didn’t stop this beautiful ceremony. Remembering a local pioneer of Juneteenth and other Black History celebrations. Plus a few things you can do locally and online today.
By Lisa D. DeNeal
Today is June 19. June 19 is also known as Juneteenth. Juneteenth represents June 19, 1865, a day when Major Gen. Gordon Granger led Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas to announce that the war was over and the enslaved were free. This announcement occurred more than two years after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation Act on January 1, 1865 (https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm).
Juneteenth 2020 is in the spotlight for reasons beyond commemoration. With the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black men, women, Black LGBTQ under the hands of some members of law enforcement and/or white supremacists, there’s been an uprising of national and international protests led by Black Lives Matter. There’s also been riots and looters, some coerced by hate groups to burn and destroy properties, thus pointing fingers at peaceful marchers.
The spotlight broaden when the current POTUS decided to originally hold his rally in Tulsa, OK , home of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921 where the Greenwood district, aka, “Black Wall Street” was burned to ashes by white vigilantes, who also murdered the majority of its Black residents and entrepreneurs (you can Google or Bing a lot of information about the massacre. Also, purchase the documentary, “Before They Die!” here http://beforetheydie.org/ to see and listen to some of the Black survivors of the massacre). The current POTUS has moved the rally to happen June 20 after backlash.
Since then, a number of corporations, organizations, etc., have jumped in to devote Juneteenth 2020 to everything from paid holidays, streaming services of movies that fit in the realm of Black history, and events. I will list a few things going on in my area, both in-person and online. But, first, a batch of sunshine and a tribute on this day.
While sitting in my home office in Gary, IN, I powered up my laptop and hit the Zoom link to a very special day for a young man whom I’ve known for a long time.
David L. King, Jr., a natural born leader, activist, and so much more, married the love of his life, Brenae Collier, this morning in Chicago. What was originally slated to be a beach ceremony, changed to another outdoor location due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From here on out, and as David posted on his Facebook page, you may now refer to him as Mr. Collier-King! Their hashtag was, #CollierTakesKing and the ceremony was intimate and the day was gorgeous. I managed to remember to take one screenshot of the newlyweds before the Zoom page closed after the ceremony (not my best, because I was so happy to witness this union that I did not think to take more. lol).
It’s no surprise to me that they chose June 19 to jump the broom (https://aaregistry.org/story/jumping-the-broom-a-short-history/. I met David while working as a correspondent for the Post-Tribune. He was a student at West Side High School and very active during his four years there. When we reconnected through social media years later, I kept up with his academics and his activities online. And while I don’t know his wife personally, I figured she’s just as much an activist and leader as he is. I wish David and Brenae overflowing blessings. Below is a much better photo — and David’s profile picture on Facebook — that I did not take.
Juneteenth also reminds me of the late Idella D. Grigsby-Figgures (Shakir).
A Gary native, Ms. Grigsby-Figgures was a force to be reckoned with. She celebrated our African and African-American heritage year-round. She was president of the African American Liberation Parade and founder of Juneteenth Day, the latter being a festival commemorating Juneteenth. She also had a small museum in her home, which was walking distance from my parents’ home. Grigsby-Figgures, who died in 2004 at 84 years old, was a walking Black History figure. She pursued city permits to hold a parade or a festival, anything to educate and celebrate our heritage. And while the crowds were few at her events, she did not give up. She gave all she had until the very end.
A Junteenth celebration is happening now until 6 p.m. at Marquette Park, Shelters 4 & 5. Please be safe while celebrating. Practice social distancing, wear masks and have hand sanitizer to use!
Dialogue Book Bar, 601 S. Lake Street in Gary, along with Dark Nite Entertainment, is hosting a Juneteenth the After Party with Rodney “DJ Dark Nite” beginning at 9 p.m. This is a ‘wine down’ peaceful event for grown folks. Learn more about Dialogue LLC via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DialogueLLC/?__xts__[0]=68.ARCkMRg_yeRpDTDrVif3PqB7nPvSc5pV12xoL7KOKgbsdgw3pnDzFjHmxvbj09ffZ80qPRkMQE6y9MzZv3HjqROSGttvtMu3MMk5lh259XJUPzQomQ_qGT7Mfh8f0Pk5hXE19dPmkkZyhsVFGpcAsSK3NCCxej2jdCKwqxix_mzJulPnkig0MatdskBziDLYNtb6FJCg-sQUW9vrGZAd_FYeZF6lTfuLKDuiq0uS0dczOy1jxYkEdrVi7TDZCj5o_YyFC_hBcXQ5j_upJeVccl7F1PLdStPj7ZCmE34wJdzxRq-X_uw&eid=ARBmmIPQCmpoQ7mxeKPAQKv_okHejGCufpVCSlU4xmoQg3BWTIyhDZEm0BCvqVl_WD8Exgbm8uIBwYqT
Learn more about Dark Nite Entertainment on FB: https://www.facebook.com/darkniteentertainmentdj/?eid=ARAFmbsKH_i38HbVZgOttvek1q9N_lS6IztR3g8XyyUGQkOVSCLN2lPIbl-YF48kB6aSXY6ezHT72yav
Also at 9 p.m., join Jonita Davis, founder and CEO of The Black Cape Magazine (https://theblackcape.com/) as she hosts a watch party for the movie, “Miss Juneteenth” starring Nicole Beharie (“Little Fires Everywhere,” “Sleepy Hollow” “42”). “Miss Juneteenth” is currently streaming on Netflix. Visit The Black Cape Magazine’s Facebook page for more information. https://www.facebook.com/theblackcapemag/
Streaming services like, Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime are also featuring African-American movies with themes on Black Lives Matter, Black History, the Civil Rights Movement, etc.
Happy Juneteenth! Happy Fathers’ Day!
Continue to be safe!
