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rScott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoTHE REV. RENE F. BROWN, far right, leads the choir from Ninth Street Baptist Church during the Lawrence juneteenth Oral History and Gospel Showcase. Wednesday s event was at Aiderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union. Choir members are, back row from left, Roger Ross, Brianna Nelson, Elizabeth Kemp, Tamika Gibson and Phyllis Wilson, and front row from left, Jessica Foster and Sheryl Shorter.Juneteenth's storied history sharedBy Mike Beltmbelt@ljworld.comLawrence launched into its Juneteenth celebration Wednesday night by taking a look at its past and trying to understand how it affected race relations.About 100 people gathered in the Kansas Union’s Aiderson Auditorium for an evening of oral histories.“We can celebrate our differences and not feel threatened by our differences,” said Steve Jansen, a local historian who was one of the speakers.Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19,1865, when the last of the slaves in America were notified of their freedom in Texas. That was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.This year’s celebration, the largest of its kind that anyone can recall inLawrence, will continue through Sunday. The idea for it was “hatched in a beauty shop,” said Barbara Ballard, a Lawrence state representative who moderated the discussions.“We take Lawrence for granted, but what a rich history we have,” Ballard said.Juneteenth activities actually began last week at the Lawrence Boys Girls Club, where children studied Juneteenth and its meanings. Some of the youths are taking part in this week’s activities, which included essay readings Wednesday night.Leading the committee that organized the events are Donna Bell and Janine Colter. They said they were pleased with the start.“You are always a little nervous the first time, but I think we contacted the right groups to get them involved,”PLEASE SEE Juneteenth, PAGE ABMore in storeMore activities are planned for the Juneteenth celebration:• Three-on-three basketball tournament, noon today at New York School, 936 N.Y. It will continue at 9 a.m. Friday at the East Lawrence Center, 1245 E. 15th St.• Unity March from Lawrence City Hall to South Park, 9 a.m. Saturday.• Family Festival featuring live music, games and Underground Railroad tours, 9:30 a.m, Saturday at Burcham Park.• Prayer breakfast with featured speaker the Rev. Reginald Backus, 7 a.m. Sunday at Victory Bible Church, 1942 Mass.
Newspaper Details
Lawrence Journal World
Lawrence, Kansas, US
Thu, Jun 17, 2004
Page 45
Full Page
Clipped by
Lawrence P.
KS, USA 12 Oct 2021
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