By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Now, more than ever, Bowling Green needs to gather to celebrate “Juneteenth,” according to organizers of the local event.
So on Saturday, the community is being asked to come together on Wooster Green, from 5 to 10 p.m., to celebrate the holiday observing the end of slavery in the U.S. and marking the day (June 19, 1865) when news of emancipation reached people in the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Galveston, Texas.
The celebration is meant to perform several roles – to heal wounds, to make blacks feel welcome, to support black-owned businesses, and to honor black culture.
“I think this is extremely important. Black people in the area don’t feel they have an outlet to be black – without being judged,” said Anthony King, who is organizing the “Juneteenth” event with Atonn Smeltzer. The two men, who organized the peaceful protest held in downtown BG last month, are being joined by P.J. Chambers on this event.
“I feel like it’s really important to raise awareness about what is going on,” Chambers said. “We need to celebrate our culture. We don’t need just protests going on. We need love. We need to feel love and celebrate everything that brings us together.”
But organizers also want to bring light to the systematic injustice and racism faced by blacks in America.
The “Juneteenth” event will feature artwork, food vendors and several black musicians. Performing will be The Voices at BGSU with spiritual music, singer Chris James, Tek & Slim with Afro-centric music, Mike on the saxophone, and DJ Kell.
There will be tables set up for voter registration, and a “white ally” table – “for helping people learn how to be an effective ally,” King said.
And a candlelight vigil is planned at the end of the evening.
“It’s just so important to recognize the diversity that exists in our community,” Smeltzer said. “Bowling Green does have people of color and we need to support them.”
This will be the first “Juneteenth” celebration in Bowling Green.
“We are hoping that people come and celebrate black culture and learn. The same blood runs through all of our veins,” Smeltzer said. “We want people to see the power and the joy behind that.”
Those attending are asked to wear face masks, with masks being donated by a couple businesses for those people who don’t have their own, Smeltzer said.
