At a glance
While summer is full of celebrations, I want to encourage us all to note the national observance of Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, enslaved Americans in Texas were told they were free.
Dear Campus Community,
While summer is full of celebrations, I want to encourage us all to note the national observance of Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, enslaved Americans in Texas were told they were free. The announcement came about two months after General Robert E. Lee surrendered confederate forces at Appomattox and a union general went to Galveston, Texas to spread the word.
The ever-important calls for racial harmony are heightened this year after a gunman targeted African American grocery store shoppers in Buffalo where 10 people were killed. Buffalo has a long history of addressing racism and has held local Juneteenth observances since 1976.
The governor issued a proclamation in observance of Juneteenth. “Arriving just over a month after the horrific, racist shootings in Buffalo, this year's Juneteenth observance is an opportunity to reflect and heal as we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Africans and their descendants in this country," Governor Kathy Hochul said.
I couldn’t agree more.
Please join me in recognition of this federal holiday this Sunday, June 19th and in observance on Monday, June 20.
Steven Mauro, PhD
Alfred State College President