Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, is a holiday that’s particularly important for African Americans. No, it’s not recognizing the Emancipation Proclamation. That went into effect Jan. 1, 1863. Juneteenth recognizes the day in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger brought federal troops to Galveston, Texas, and announced the Civil War was over and enslaved people were free.
Also known as “Black Independence Day,” June 19 is observed annually across the country. Living rooms, parks and neighborhoods normally fill with cookouts, speeches and music.
This year, the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to typical gatherings. But many believe Juneteenth is especially important to recognize now because of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a policeman knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes in Minneapolis.
Here are some opportunities to observe and learn about Juneteenth in South Florida:
FAU Club Activities
What: A community cookout, a protest and a virtual group discussion on racial identity, alliance and activism.
When: The cookout is noon to 4 p.m. Friday at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Boca Raton. The protest is noon to 3 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The discussion is at 3 p.m. Friday via the conference app WebEX.
Why: Florida Atlantic University’s Black Student Union president Kennedy McKinney said the three events, which are hosted by various campus organizations, aim to give students and the community a chance to meet, talk and bond over black history and current events.
“This is a great way for people to connect,” she said. “Most people don’t know about Juneteenth, or most people do know about it but didn’t really celebrate it. This year, it’s definitely becoming more of an event.”
Downtown Fort Lauderdale
What: Rally to defund the police.
When: 3 p.m. on Friday
Where: Huizenga Park, 32 E Las Olas Blvd. RSVP here.
Why: Broward Dream Defenders, the local chapter of the Florida non-profit Dream Defenders, which was founded after the death of Trayvon Martin, is hosting the rally to honor black freedom and resistance and demand re-allocation of police funding to support for the black community.
Miami Film Festival
What: Special screening of “When Liberty Burns,” a 2-hour-long award-winning film released earlier this year at the festival, that documents the 1980 Miami race riots over the death of Arthur McDuffie, a black man, and subsequent acquittal of the white polite officers who killed him. For 24 hours on Juneteenth, anyone can rent and watch the film online for $13.
A portion of the money raised will be donated to the Historic Hampton House community trust, said film festival director Jaie Laplante.
When: All day June 19.
Where: Online via the Miami Film Festival website or Vimeo.
Why: Laplante said he was motivated to share the film again because of the mirror it holds up to the death of George Floyd and subsequent unrest. He believes people who don’t know their own history, like South Florida residents who don’t know McDuffie’s story, are doomed to repeat it.
“While some things have changed, so much has not changed,” he said. “Something like this could happen again, and unfortunately, the events in Minneapolis proved that true.”
Juneteenth South Broward
What: Instead of the normal parade and park gathering, Juneteenth South Broward will be streaming a modified version of its annual festivities so South Florida residents can still celebrate while social distancing. A secret line-up of performers will include junkanoo musicians; gospel singers; a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is popularly known as the “Black National Anthem”; speakers from local, state and federal government; and recognition of Broward community members.
When: The broadcast begins at 6 p.m. on Juneteenth.
Where: It will be streamed via Juneteenth South Broward’s Facebook Live.
Why: Georgette Lasley-Wiggins, founder of the group, said she didn’t want to stop the jubilee festivities just because of coronavirus. She dreams of the day Juneteenth becomes a federally recognized national holiday, and in the meantime, puts on a grand party in its honor.
“I decided to take the path of reminding people of our forgotten holiday here in Broward,” Lasley-Wiggins said. “This is our independence day. We’re going to go forth, yes.”
S.D. Spady Cultural Arts Museum
What: In collaboration with the Delray Beach Public Library, the Spady Museum will broadcast its first episode of “Porch Stories,” a simplified tale explaining Juneteenth to children and anyone else who wants to listen and learn. Librarian Tammeric Itson-Scurry will read the story from the front porch of Williams Cottage, a restored home from the first African American settlement in Delray Beach.
When: The reading will be recorded on Juneteenth and live-streamed via the museum and library’s Facebook pages at 10 a.m.
Where: It will be uploaded as a video to the museum and library websites, YouTube and social media.
Why: Spady Museum Executive Director Charlene Farrington said “Porch Stories” was originally planned as a theater-style, in-person reading to an audience with seating and snacks around the cottage so families could come together. But because the pandemic closed the museum, she and Itson-Scurry switched gears to an online performance.
“Most of the people that I’ve talked to in South Florida just don’t know what Juneteenth is. They have no clue,” Farrington said. “Our goal is to at least keep the events alive intellectually for our youth so they can have some connection.”
