Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1250712
36 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2020 Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Why We Celebrate Juneteenth The history books have glorified Abraham Lincoln for freeing the slaves. But really only the slaves who lived near Union lines, where they were able to flee their plantations and take advantage of opportunities in the north, were free. Basically, the slaves freed themselves as their new-found freedom was rejected by southern and racially separatist white people. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Granger rode into Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and Texas' 250,000 slaves were now officially free. This was two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Major General Granger issued an order to the people of Texas proclaiming that, "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." "Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. "From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of Juneteenth as the African-American Emancipation Day has spread across and beyond the United States. "Juneteenth commemorates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. It is also a time for assessment, self- improvement, and future planning for African-American progress. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities, and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a sad and emotional period in US history that shaped and continues to influence our society today." ~ Juneteenth.com Upcoming Events: June 19 - ATTENTION EVERYONE! We will hold our annual Juneteenth celebration via Zoom on Friday, June 19 at 6 pm. If you have a Juneteenth experience, we want to hear about it! You will have up to four minutes to tell your story of your Juneteenth experience. If you would like to participate, please email infotoaacc@ gmail.com no later than June 1. Oct. 3 - Jazz Under the Stars Dec. 12 - Christmas Gala The next AACC Meeting will be held on Monday, June 1, via Zoom. For information, please call Betty Ann James at (951) 572-5538 or email infotoaacc@gmail.com. ~ Regina Thomas African American Cultural Club Italian American Club Ciao Amici Miei (Hello my Friends) The purpose of the Italian American Club is to provide members with the opportunity to share cultural experiences, history, traditions, language, food, and fun being Americans of Italian ancestry. The club is open to all residents. We meet the second Thursday of each month at The Courts' Multipurpose Room at 6 pm. Currently we are not meeting at The Courts due to the COVID-19 pandemic that necessitated all activities using our facility meeting rooms to be canceled. The March Italian food potluck had to be canceled because of the potential to spread the coronavirus through the buffet-type dinner that was planned. Unfortunately, the Breeze magazine article for April 2020 showed the Italian potluck dinner went off as planned. I apologize for the confusion caused by the article. The deadline for articles to be submitted to the Breeze is on the eighth of each month to be included in the next Breeze magazine. So, the article was submitted on March 8, four days before the event scheduled for March 12. Thank you for your understanding and patience. We will meet again as soon as our HOA is able to open the facilities for meeting such as ours under the guidelines directed by the County of Riverside and the state mandates. Looking forward to seeing you all again. Stay safe and healthy, and please follow all the guidelines put in place for our safety. Addio Fina Incontriamo Al Nuovo (Goodbye until we meet again). ~ Barbara Dipoma and Jerry Monahan, (951) 212-8898 Billy McCrea, a former slave who remembered the Union troops coming into Texas in 1865 and being told that he was free. Photo by Ruby Terrill Lomax, September 30, 1940