The atmosphere at Emporia’s Eastside Memorial Park on Thursday evening was full of celebration, community, and reflection as individuals from all walks of life gathered to recognize and commemorate the Juneteenth holiday as one.
The annual celebration, organized by the Eastside Community Group, included plenty of fellowship, food, laughter and powerful words from featured speakers including Emporia native poet and military veteran Michael Hutcherson Sr. Hutcherson stated in his comments that while Juneteenth celebrates an extremely important moment in our nation’s history, the end of slavery, it is important that we celebrate and reflect on the “whole story” not just a single chapter.
Hutcherson added that while the Emancipation Proclamation did bring an end to slavery, it did not immediately bring freedom to all people. He elaborated that for generations following this time, people of color were still denied basic rights, which are now afforded to millions today.
With this in mind, Hutcherson encouraged all in attendance to embrace those freedoms today, as they owe it to those who never lived to see it.
Hutcherson’s words struck a strong chord with all in attendance as they came at a time when societal divisiveness is, in the opinion of many, at previously unforeseen levels. With that in mind, while speaking with KVOE News, Hutcherson looked around at the sea of diverse faces at Eastside Park Thursday and stated that if our nation is to continue to grow and thrive, it cannot be done through the work of individuals it must be accomplished through unity amongst all people.
Juneteenth developed after a proclamation freeing slaves reached Galveston Bay, Texas, in 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth was officially designated as a national holiday in 2021.
