Juneteenth to be observed

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: June 19, 2008

STAFFORD — In preparation for the day that marks the official end of slavery in America, one local pastor says the Civil War is still being fought today and that it needs to stop.

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day Union Soldiers came to Galveston, Texas and liberated black slaves there in 1865, more than two years after then President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Until Juneteenth there had not been enough Union soldiers in the south to enforce the proclamation, according to Juneteenth.com, a Web site dedicated to the celebration. When soldiers delivered news of the proclamation, most slaves saw freedom for the first time.

“Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp of freedom. North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the desire to reach family members in neighboring states drove some into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma,” noted the Juneteenth Web site.

George Quick, senior pastor at Shiloh Christian Church in North Stafford, said people in Virginia need to look beyond color lines and culture, and look for the true meaning of one’s character.

“There was a time when the Gentile and the Jew got along in this country, and it wasn’t until America got rich that people started not to get along,” said Quick.

The former Marine presides over a non-denominational congregation of nearly 500 at the church he built on Joshua Road. Quick said that he believes in religious freedom because “that is what the pilgrims left England to find.”

“This county was founded on religions freedom, and the ability to look beyond social and political differences,” said Quick. “Culture is not black and white, or the color of your skin. Culture is what people do and how they act.”

During the beginning of the 20th century, Juneteenth celebrations declined as traditional textbook reading replaced much of the traditional family teachings.
Interest in celebrating the holiday was lessened by the Depression, where July 4th had already been declared a freedom celebration day, according to the Web site.

The holiday saw resurgence in popularity during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. The struggle for acceptance and equality between African Americans and whites drew more attention to the holiday.

In 1980 Texas proclaimed Juneteenth a state holiday.

“Throughout the 80s and 90s Juneteenth has continued to enjoy a growing and healthy interest from communities and organizations throughout the country,” according to the Web site.

Quick said that his church does not have any celebrations planned for the day, but said he thanks the Lord for the blessings that it brings.