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Juneteenth Message of Racial Justice in Syracuse Amplified by Recent Rallies, Marches, Protests

Chris Bolt/WAER News

Anyone who has celebrated or honored Juneteenthin the past, can’t escape that this year the holiday, and the injustices it exposes, is seeing more attention.  Marches, rallies, and protests over racial police practices have also shined a light on racial inequities in education, the economy and other parts of society. 

I had a chance to talk with Ruthnie Angrand who’s on the Syracuse Juneteenth Committee.  They would normally be holding a commemorative dinner, a Juneteenth parade and festival in Syracuse, which has become one of the larger such events in the state.  She says state, county and city proclamations of Juneteenth as a holiday, coupled with recent racial equity pledges by many companies and institutions, heighten the significance.

“Corporate Polices, government policies focus no equity in a way we never have been able to before,” Angrand said.  “There are documents we can point to, holidays and commemorations we can point to that say, ‘don’t forget, you said this; you said this was important to you.’  And it reminds the country that, while you get a day off, you’re getting that day off because we had to put an end to slavery.”

The story of Juneteenth refers back to a time in 1865 when slaves in Texas were finally told of the emancipation proclamation – more than two years after it was signed – and should have ended their enslavement.  The holiday can be seen on the progress gained by the proclamation, and the 13th amendment which followed.

“The emancipation proclamation granted certain rights that were short lived, but certain rights that were extraordinary.  It said that the connection between master and slave are now disconnected.  They’re not employer and hired labor.  So, when you think about it, right there is economic freedom,”  Angrand added.

Credit Chris Bolt/WAER News
Both the United States Flag and the Juneteenth Flag are flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the COVID 19 pandemic.

It also laid the grounds for voting and even running for congress for blacks.  The government and corporate policies that have been voted in and changed are a reflection of the activism Syracuse, New York State and much of the nation has seen following the killing of George Floyd.  Angrand sees the connection with the message behind Juneteenth … and credits those who have organized and participated in marches and rallies for what she hopes is lasting change.

“As a committee member and as a Black woman, I just am moved by the way that this generation has chosen to activate.  We could not have gotten to this if this generation did not say that they are not OK with all but deliberate speed when it comes to matters of social justice and matters of social equity.”

While public celebrations can’t go on right now due to health restrictions from the coronavirus, Angrand wants people to enjoy the three-day weekend many got by making Juneteenth a holiday.  But she further hopes they will reflect on underlying issues of racial discrimination and injustice that date back to slavery and the civil war.  Because, despite recent laws, donations and companies pledging to improve equality don’t come with any guarantees.

“Unfortunately, executive orders and laws cannot change people’s hearts.  They can only change people’s behaviors.  So my hope is that while these actions are forcing us to codify these things into policy, … the arts and the culture and the community that’s taking place during the marches and as people exercise their constitutional rights, the relationships that are being built, I hope that those are the things that change people’s hearts.”

Angrand concludes because of the ongoing rallies and the conversations they have inspired, people should be feeling empathy, feeling each other’s pain, and be concerned for each other’s future. 

The city of Syracuse did issue a proclamation for Juneteenth … and raise the Juneteenth Flag at City Hall.  

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.