Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and, effective this year, Connecticut will join at least 27 other states and the District of Columbia to observe Juneteenth as a state holiday.
Accordingly, New Canaan’s town government issued its own official Juneteenth proclamation.
While Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R) acknowledges the Town of New Canaan recognition, it is important to emphasize that New Canaan, while embracing the journey to Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging, still has a long way to go in growing our knowledge and efforts together.
The town’s Proclamation recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth, marking the arrival of union troops in Galveston, Texas two years after President Lincoln had issued a proclamation liberating all slaves living in confederate states. June 19th, 1865 marked the official day when all enslaved in America were granted freedom. Hence marking the end of slavery in America with the emancipation of the last slaves in Texas. In reality it took another 8 months after the news for slavery to be prohibited all across the country. The New Canaan Proclamation also acknowledges that the struggle for true racial equality in the United States is an ongoing issue, not confined to the past but a reality we face today. Additionally, it recognizes Juneteenth as an important reminder of our history and an opportunity for reflection, urging us to strive for racial justice and equality in the future.
We wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment expressed in the New Canaan proclamation. The struggle for racial equality is indeed far from over, and we are encouraged to witness increased engagement and dialogue on this crucial issue across various sectors of our town. At S.T.A.R, we firmly believe that by uniting our efforts, we can drive transformative and sustainable social change within our community and extend its impact beyond our borders. We extend our sincerest appreciation to the town for the overwhelming support we have received thus far.
As we eagerly anticipate the “Hearts of Freedom” Juneteenth celebration today, Monday, June 19, from 1pm-5pm on the lawn of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, we invite everyone to join us in commemorating this significant day. The event promises to be both enjoyable and educational, catering to individuals of all ages. We have arranged for a captivating performance by the local band, The Misfits, while the talented artist 5iveFingaz will lead us in creating a community graffiti mural. Attendees can bring their own food or indulge in delicious soul food from Miss Thelma’s Restaurant, available on-site. S.T.A.R will be serving traditional red velvet cupcakes and hibiscus tea for all to enjoy.
While we celebrate this milestone of recognizing Juneteenth, let us not forget that it is just the beginning. We must continue to actively address the systemic racism that persists in our society, work towards equitable opportunities for all, and foster an inclusive and welcoming community that values diversity. We urge our town’s leaders and residents to embrace this opportunity to deepen our commitment to racial justice and equality.
We are confident that together, we can create a brighter and more inclusive future for all members of our community.
Fatou Niang is Founder and Chair of Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R)
As a child growing up in Texas, I always knew about Juneteenth. It was not a widely recognized day of significance outside of the descendants of slaves. We celebrated it with the families we knew. It was surprising to me, when I came East, that people didn’t even know what it was. I look forward to celebrating it today to show my deep respect for people who have overcome so much. We have to reflect on the past to step into the future together.
It is a great celebration of freedom and a really fun event as well