Juneteenth is a time for African Americans to celebrate their emancipation in Texas on June 19th, 1865, and it shows off black culture and what it truly means to be an African American. It showcases restaurants, museums, poetry, black owned businesses and soulful music. Even though the original event held by Tulsa Juneteenth had been postponed to 2021, Tulsans decided to take it into their own hands to host their own Juneteenth celebration.
Of course, to ensure the safety of event attendees, they handed out face masks, had hand sanitizer stands set up all over, and worked to enforce social distancing - as this, and encouraging everyone to keep their masks on, was the only thing Tulsans had to do to ensure their Juneteenth wasn't shut down.
However, there was more than a global pandemic to consider. June 19th, a very historical and meaningful date to all African Americans, was also the original date President Donald Trump planned to have his campaign in Tulsa, OK.
Many felt that the campaign was viewed as very disrespectful toward black individuals because it was the one day they had to celebrate and rejoice with one another after all the police brutality and hate crimes going on in our world right now. Not to mention, this is where the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in 1921. After receiving backlash and supposedly being informed on the event, Trump later announced he would be moving his campaign to June 20th.
Local Tulsa News outlet, KJRH, had reported that Tulsa had expected thousands to attend the celebration despite Trump's interruption and rescheduling. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt also released a statement to commemorate Juneteenth and support black Oklahomans:
Today marks the celebration of Juneteenth – a day where we recognize the end of slavery in the United States and reflect on where we are as a nation. Over the past few weeks, I've spent a lot of time reflecting, listening and learning. I've learned there are words I want all Oklahomans to hear: the lives of every Black man, woman and child matter. They matter to God. They matter to me as a person; and as governor, they matter to Oklahoma. Of course, all lives matter, but there are Oklahomans who are hurting and need to hear the governor of their state say it clearly: YOU matter.
As a man of faith, I look to 1 Corinthians 12:26, which says, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it." We can admit that racism is real and that it's wrong, even if we haven't experienced it firsthand. After all, how can we be part of a solution to a problem we won't admit exists? Micah 6:8 says, "The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: 'See that justice is done, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.'" Let us continue the Oklahoma Standard by leading the way as a state, being forever willing to overcome our differences and work together for a better tomorrow.
Tulsa taking Juneteenth into their own hands to celebrate black lives and culture, despite multiple obstacles arising, was inspiring. Whether it be a global pandemic, a political campaign, or just a rainy day, black lives, pride, and culture should be celebrated and not put on the back burner.
