Black Humboldt
Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating the date African Slaves were both freed from Slavery but more importantly the day The US decided to recognize said freedom. Today we honor this day by celebrating Black culture, Black Community, diversity and freedom! This year the Black Community of Humboldt County has curated a weekend long Juneteenth Festival starting Thursday June 16th and lasting through Monday June 20th, the event will feature a wide variety of events open to the whole community with our annual park party being held Sunday June 19th on the Arcata Plaza 12 – 7pm (online options). If you’d like to support the event we’re looking for volunteers, donations, items for the plaza party and sponsors.
Juneteenth dates back to 1865, it was on some day around June 19th, that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were free. Note that this was two and a half years AFTER President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, signed January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops and the platation owners’ need for slavery. Find out more at juneteenth.com/history
Through this annual event the community has been able to enjoy a safe, inclusive space that highlights and platforms the vibrant BIPOC communities of Humboldt County. We have been able to create a space to discuss and celebrate the intersections of Black culture & history with American History, and start to establish positive representation for The Black & Brown community that thrives in Humboldt County. This holiday is one that is very important and empowering for Black and Brown communities all over the United States but especially for Humboldt County, as Black people currently only make up 2% of the population. This small population struggles to create and maintain representation as an equal part of the community in comparison to the majority white community. Black history is a part of The United States’ history and is important to celebrate as we create safe spaces and inclusion for Black, Indigenous and POC communities in Humboldt County.
For more information go to www.BlackHumboldt.com, check out Black Humboldt on all socials @BlackHumboldt or contact the team directly at Blackhumboldt@gmail.com
