Hundreds gather for annual celebration of freedom

Elizabeth Huff • The Enquirer • June 22, 2008

A blue barbecue haze wafted over Claude Evans Park for the sixth annual Juneteenth celebration of freedom on Saturday.

Hundreds of people gathered for the slow-roasted ribs smothered in barbecue sauce, the cornbread and the red pop.

They came to side-hug old friends and eyeball political candidates while children romped in the playground and impromptu basketball games began.

Beneath the jubilant atmosphere was the reminder that Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom for the last American slaves of African descent who were released from their bonds on June 19, 1865, in Texas about two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed them.

In her award-winning essay, 13-year-old Gabriel Fitzpatrick of Battle Creek read aloud she was saddened to learn of the 250,000 slaves who didn't get the message they were free, either because messengers were killed en route or because their masters suppressed the truth.

"People could have died at that time not knowing they were free," said her twin brother, Brandon Fitzpatrick, who also received an award from the 2008 Juneteenth Essay Committee, co-chaired by Marshall Washington of Kellogg Community College and County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Kate Segal.

Although Gabriel and Brandon said they are happy to be free, they know racism lingers.

The young, black "preacher's kids" said they feel they are watched more closely when shopping, for example, and have learned not to walk into stores with their hands in their pockets.

It's not because they are young that their parents have warned them to be on their guard, said their father, Pastor Miles Fitzpatrick, but because of the color of their skin.

"I know they look at me differently just because I'm a young black male," Brandon Fitzpatrick said. "There are racial inequalities still in existence."

Although most people at the Juneteenth celebration probably could have recounted similar stories of racism, the focus was not about reliving the sorrow of slavery, but the joy of freedom.

And the joy of free hot dogs. Almost 500 had been grilled by midafternoon and volunteers with the Urban League's Young Professionals said they were close to running out.

With a half-eaten hot dog in hand, Terry Word, 62, of Battle Creek said besides seeing old friends, the best part of the day was the food.

Manning the hot-dog assembly line, Shanay Settles, 33, said she had seen some people coming back for seconds and even thirds.

"Some people still got bread on their mouth," she said, laughing.


Elizabeth Huff can be reached at 966-0684 or ehuff@battlecr.gannett.com.

Originally published June 22, 2008
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