Juneteenth, a crucial celebration of freedom in the United States, witnessed a vibrant commemoration in Tacoma, where an estimated 20,000 people gathered at Stewart Heights Park.
Hosted annually by WayOut Kids, this event has become the largest Juneteenth celebration in Washington state.
Jackie Crawford, an event vendor and owner of Generations Hair Salon, expressed her excitement, stating, “The energy is wild! And I’m absolutely loving it.”
Attendee Leah Kirk, who was at the event with her family, highlighted the significance of the gathering, saying, “You can look around and you see all this beautiful blackness here. This is what it’s all about.”
The event brought together people from various backgrounds, all uniting to recognize the power, resilience, and liberation of Black Americans. Many attendees came not only to celebrate but also to learn about the importance of Juneteenth.
Mike Ford, an attendee, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s amazing! I love to see it. Black excellence. Everybody from everywhere pulling up.”
The historical context of Juneteenth dates back to January 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in the rebelling states of the Confederacy to be free. However, it was not until June 19, 1865, that the final 250,000 enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two and a half years later.
In light of increased calls for social justice and recognition of systemic racism, Washington state officially designated Juneteenth as a legal holiday in May 2021. Subsequently, in June 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill making it a federal holiday.
Kirk reflected on the progress made over the years, emphasizing the importance of community strength. She stated, “Just really see how far we’ve come in spite of society trying to make it seem like we’re still stuck in certain times. There may be certain narratives that still exist, but I really think when we do things like this with greatness and expectation, to hold each other to a high standard, we really can see what we’re made of.”
The event served as more than just a celebration; dozens of vendors showcased their goods and connected attendees to various resources and services. The coordinators of the event emphasized its role in creating pathways for Black businesses towards economic freedom.
Mike Ford pointed out the economic significance of supporting Black-owned businesses, stating, “There’s a lot of statistics that show that the Black dollar only stays in the community for a few hours. So, it’s important to support Black-owned businesses and just help each other level up. Black excellence. Black freedom.”
Jackie Crawford added, “Believing in your gift, your talent, whatever that may be, believing in it and putting in the time and the work ethic into all of it. That, to me, is economic freedom and just putting it out there to serve the people.”
She mentioned that the event provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to promote themselves and support economic independence within the community.
Overall, the Tacoma Juneteenth celebration not only commemorated freedom but also emphasized the importance of community support, resilience, and economic empowerment among Black Americans.
image source from：fox13seattle
