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36 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2021 On the eve of January 1, 1863, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes across the country, awaiting the news that Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect. Union soldiers marched onto plantations and throughout cities in the South, spreading the word that slavery was over and Black people in the Confederate States of America were free. Many slaveholders ignored the order until Union troops arrived to enforce it. Texas, where more than 250,000 Black people were still enslaved, was the last Confederate state to have the proclamation announced. On June 19, 1865, 2,000 Union troops under Major General Gordon Granger marched into a reluctant community in Galveston Bay, Texas, to inform them that President Lincoln had freed all slaves two and a half years ago. The Troops had to force local slaveholders to comply with the President's directive. After 200 plus years of enslavement, African Americans began transforming their lives and their community. The Post-Emancipation period is known as the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877). During this time, former slaves immediately sought to reunify their families, establish schools, run for political office, and push anti-racial legislation. "Red in the Juneteenth flag symbolizes- from the middle passage to George Floyd, our blood has been spilled across America." ~ Steve Williams, President of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF). Today African Americans continue to grapple with the effects of systemic racism, Jim Crow Laws, and the lack of reparations. Juneteenth marks our country's second Independence Day. Even though it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown and uncelebrated by most Americans. However, the historical legacy of Juneteenth is being shared and kept alive through city events, parades, family cookouts, Miss Juneteenth contests, African American Museums, and by those who are rooted in African American Culture. A movie titled Miss Juneteenth, written, and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020. Currently, 47 states and Washington, D.C., recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday or a ceremonial holiday. Juneteenth festivities have been seen in episodes of television shows such as Black-ish and Atlanta. The Black Seminoles, who escaped U.S. slavery in 1852 by settling in Coahuila, Mexico, also commemorate Juneteenth. "Juneteenth is a unifying holiday. It is the completion of the celebration of freedom in America," says Steve Williams president of NJOF. The next AACC Zoom meeting is Monday, June 7. For information: infotoaacc@gmail.com. ~ Regina Thomas, infotoaacc@gmail.com African American Cultural Club Happy days are here again. We are able to meet in person for our club meetings, and are scheduled to have our first in-person meeting on June 10 at 6 pm at The Courts. We will continue to meet on the second Thursday of each month at The Courts. Thank you for your patience during this time of COVID-19, and for following the guidelines put in place to keep us all safe. Barbara and I look forward to seeing you all soon. We have about 10 days before our scheduled meeting, so please think about the kind of activities or programs you would like to see. Our first in-person meeting will be a "get reacquainted" meeting. So stay healthy and put June 10 at 6 pm at The Courts on your schedules. Be safe, be happy, and enjoy our beautiful community. ~ Barbara Dipoma and Jerry Monahan, (951) 212-8898 Italian American Club

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