New Mexico observes last day of slavery

By Casey Phillips
Tribune Reporter
June 16, 2006

When Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army marched into Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to spread word of the Emancipation Proclamation to the last pocket of slaves in the United States, they danced in the street.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

What: The 30th Annual Celebration of Juneteenth Freedom Day

When: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Thomas Bell Community Center and Park, 3001 University Blvd. S.E.

Events: Health fair, drummers, singers, storytellers, art/educational/cultural displays, a fashion show and children's program

Cost: Free

This year, there are celebrations in New Mexico as it joins 18 other states in officially recognizing the last day of slavery in America as "Juneteenth Freedom Day."

In 1980, Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. Local celebrations of the holiday have been held in Albuquerque and other New Mexico cities for 30 years, but this is the first year of official state observance, said Ronald Hinson, chairman of the Albuquerque Juneteenth Committee Board.

The holiday will be celebrated on the third Saturday in June. It became an official state observance when Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, an Albuquerque Democrat, into law on March 6.

To many blacks, Juneteenth is a celebration of the dawn of freedom for their people, Hinson said.

"During slavery, the slaves were not allowed to speak African languages, dress in African clothes, cook African food or try to read," he said. "So the slaves were so elated to find out that they were free two years after the Emancipation Proclamation that they decided to call that day `Juneteenth.' "

The hope is that this day of celebrating black independence will resonate with all groups of people, said Harold Bailey, executive director of the Office of African American Affairs in Albuquerque.

"It would be nice if we could celebrate together to help solve some of the problems we have in society," Bailey said. "If you were enslaved and you were freed, I'd want to celebrate with you."

The theme this year, "Together, we will see Juneteenth Independence Day become a National Holiday in America," reflects the hopes of many blacks that Juneteenth will become recognized officially nationwide, Hinson said.

A national movement headed by the Rev. Ronald Myers is working toward that goal. The U.S. House of Representatives last year passed a bill on to the Senate calling for national recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday.

In the meantime, blacks in Albuquerque can celebrate an Independence Day that has a unique appeal for them, Bailey said.

"It has an individual flavor because slaves were freed, and we're celebrating that independence from slavery," he said. "We're drawn to that - you can't help but be."

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_local/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19858_4779802,00.html