On June 19th, Celebrate Juneteenth in Wilsonville

Celebrate Juneteenth in Wilsonville!

Springing from our values of celebration and recognition of human dignity, we are excited to highlight Juneteenth’s traditions, history, and impact on Wilsonville residents. Thanks to the work of WAIC members, at their June 15 Council meeting, Juneteenth will be officially recognized for the FIRST TIME IN OUR CITY’S HISTORY (see page 45)!

Be a part of the celebration on June 19th

1. Read the images and article below to understand the traditions, history, and impact on African American residents in Wilsonville.

2. Click here to download a ZIP file and share the images on your social media on June 19 and the week before.

3. On June 19, take a picture or video of your celebration and post to social media with #JuneteenthWilsonville. For an extra special treat, check out Aaron Woods’ delicious sweet potato pie recipe!

History

The Emancipation Proclamation (Proclamation 95), was an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, effective January 1, 1863. that freed approximately 3.5 million slaves of the Confederate states in rebellion against the Union.  

While its effect was to free negros held in bondage it had more far-reaching effects making the eradication of slavery an explicit war goal and the ending of Fugitive Slave Laws. 

While President Abraham Lincoln had officially freed the slaves, enforcement of this order became difficult to enforce in areas where there were few Union soldiers. Texas, in particular, remained unaffected, as it was geographically isolated from Union troops and thus was the last confederate state to have the proclamation announced.  

Many slave owners moved to Texas with their slaves looking to not be affected by the enforcement of the proclamation. By the end of the Civil War on April 9, 1865, the number of slaves in Texas had increased by tens of thousands, despite the proclamation.  

News of the freeing of the slaves traveled slowly in the South.  The Union Army was used to bring this news throughout the South and spread the word. 

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger from the Headquarters District of Texas in Galveston, with more than 2,000 Union troops, traveled to every county in Texas informing the people that all slaves were free.  

In an article from Smithsonian Magazine, dated June 15, 2011, they said, “Juneteenth marks what is arguably the most significant event in American history after independence itself—the eradication of American slavery.”  Below is the content of General Orders 3 that General Granger issued that was read and posted in prominent areas throughout Texas:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

The Juneteenth celebration was started a year later in Texas to celebrate the importance of June 19 with the announcement that slavery had been abolished.  It was from this celebration that Juneteenth (“June” combined with “nineteenth”) was born. 

For many years it was confined to Texas, as word of the holiday was slow to spread to other states. It wasn’t until the 20th century that Juneteenth began to make its journey across the United States. 

Also of note, only slaves in the Confederate states affected by the were liberated by Union troops and not those in the border states in which slavery remained legal until the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated in 47 of the 50 states - Oregon being one of them - but, it is not officially recognized as a national holiday (legislation is pending). 

Traditions

Traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and "Lift Every Voice and Sing", and reading of works by noted African-American writers such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou, as well as sharing food that enslaved people considered a delicacy, including the barbecue pit, collard greens, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, cornbread, tea cakes, and certain foods that became popular and synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations, such as red (strawberry) soda-pop.

It is often accompanied by lectures and exhibitions on African-American culture. Celebrations include picnics, rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, park parties, historical reenactments, blues festivals, and Miss Juneteenth contests.

Personal stories from African American residents of Wilsonville

Aaron Woods

I grew up celebrating Juneteenth.  It was a day for family and friends to get together and enjoy each other's company. The significance of Juneteenth was not fully realized by me until the civil rights era.  I became more focused on my roots.  Attending a Juneteenth Celebration was an important event I did not want to miss.  

Everyone in my immediate family celebrates Juneteenth as well as most of my African American friends.  This year it will be quite different since it will be difficult to gather in large groups. I’ve discussed this with my wife how we might celebrate Juneteenth this year.  We are exploring several alternatives.

Sweet potato pie was developed by African-American slaves from traditional African cuisine. Here’s my family recipe.

Mary-Elizabeth Harper

Juneteenth is another milestone in my African American heritage commemorating Texas as the last state recognizing my people’s Emancipation following the Confederate War. 

It’s our true 4th of July and in my younger years I always looked forward to celebrating with others, at gatherings, picnics, cultural events.

Yet theoretically, events throughout my life and clearly of late put into question how superficially my ancestors and I were freed from the slavery, as the horrendous mistreatment and discriminatory practices by white America has increasingly challenged our emancipation.  I sometimes feel treated like less than a person, like a piece of property owned by white people.