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Wednesday
March 10, 2010 Since 1922 |
Parade celebrates Juneteenth
By Heather L. Nicholson
Baytown Sun Published June 19, 2005 MCNAIR — Today marks an important milestone for southern blacks as communities across the nation celebrate the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating black freedom, dating back to 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston with news the war was over and the enslaved were now free.
The McNair community, consisting of about 65 families east of Baytown, concluded a weeklong celebration of Juneteenth Saturday with a parade and festival at the J.D. Walker Community Center.
With the sounds of rhythm and blues music filling the air, generations young and old gathered for a game of basketball, domino tournament and good food.
The community center on Wade Road has been hosting Juneteenth celebrations since it was built in the 1980s, center director Beverly Barnes said.
“It is important for us to celebrate our freedom. You’ll find Juneteenth celebrations everywhere now,” Barnes said.
Staring with gospel night last week and ending with a parade, the festivities were meant to bridge generation gaps and bring the community together.
“Every night has been really great. It’s been a better turnout this time than years before,” Barnes said.
Children zoomed down the streets on motorized scooters and mini motorcycles, while the older generation rode along the parade on their bicycles.
The 2005 Miss Juneteenth pageant winner, Danae Russell, rode in a convertible car, waving to passersby. The 17-year-old Sterling High School senior said she entered the pageant on a whim.
“I was surprised I won. I wasn’t going to do it at first, but someone convinced me and I won. It’s been a great experience,” Russell said.
Also sharing the parade spotlight with her were Teclesha Blanchard, 16, the 2004 Miss Juneteenth; and Tamreya Blanchard, 14, the second place finisher for 2005 Jr. Miss Juneteenth.
When southern slaves were told of their freedom it was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Even though it would eventually become part of the U.S. Constitution as the 14th Amendment, the Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans at first. Due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the order, it wasn’t until the surrender of General Robert E. Lee that Union forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
Baytown Sun Published June 19, 2005 MCNAIR — Today marks an important milestone for southern blacks as communities across the nation celebrate the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating black freedom, dating back to 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston with news the war was over and the enslaved were now free.
The McNair community, consisting of about 65 families east of Baytown, concluded a weeklong celebration of Juneteenth Saturday with a parade and festival at the J.D. Walker Community Center.
With the sounds of rhythm and blues music filling the air, generations young and old gathered for a game of basketball, domino tournament and good food.
The community center on Wade Road has been hosting Juneteenth celebrations since it was built in the 1980s, center director Beverly Barnes said.
“It is important for us to celebrate our freedom. You’ll find Juneteenth celebrations everywhere now,” Barnes said.
Staring with gospel night last week and ending with a parade, the festivities were meant to bridge generation gaps and bring the community together.
“Every night has been really great. It’s been a better turnout this time than years before,” Barnes said.
Children zoomed down the streets on motorized scooters and mini motorcycles, while the older generation rode along the parade on their bicycles.
The 2005 Miss Juneteenth pageant winner, Danae Russell, rode in a convertible car, waving to passersby. The 17-year-old Sterling High School senior said she entered the pageant on a whim.
“I was surprised I won. I wasn’t going to do it at first, but someone convinced me and I won. It’s been a great experience,” Russell said.
Also sharing the parade spotlight with her were Teclesha Blanchard, 16, the 2004 Miss Juneteenth; and Tamreya Blanchard, 14, the second place finisher for 2005 Jr. Miss Juneteenth.
When southern slaves were told of their freedom it was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Even though it would eventually become part of the U.S. Constitution as the 14th Amendment, the Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans at first. Due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the order, it wasn’t until the surrender of General Robert E. Lee that Union forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.