Father of Freedom Absalom Jones
June, 12th 2019 i attended Juneteenth presentation given by Mr. Ronald Brown aka Mr. Juneteenth at the Lucien Blackwell Library in West Philadelphia. Mr. Juneteenth shared with us lessons of our past and the passage of HB619 making Juneteenth an official holiday in Pennsylvania. Mr. Brown is the Northeast Regional Juneteenth Director, Founder and Chairperson of Pennsylvania Juneteenth Coalition. Philadelphia’s Juneteenth origin began on June 19th 1863. #PhiladelphiaFreedomMarch ended in Texas with the freeing of the last slaves in Galveston Texas on June 19th 1865. Mr. Ron Brown a native Philadelphian founded Germantown Juneteenth Coalition (GJC) in 1995. GJC hosted one of PA’s first Juneteenth Celebration, in Germantown PA 1997. GJC 1997 Juneteenth celebration has evolved to a Coalition of Juneteenth Celebrations taking place in counties throughout the State of Pennsylvania.
I learned that August 25, 1619 is when Sir William Penn bought slaves into Philadelphia near the Penns Landing site. The first protest to end slavery by abolitionist occurred in Germantown . So much untold history was shared, what i came away with is this. African Americans were coming to Philadelphia for freedom. Philadelphia Freedom March made the trip to Galveston Texas to inform the last of slaves in United States of America that they were free. The Philadelphia Freedom March was African American men who had no fear of dying so that we all could be free. The Quakers were sympathetic to the African struggle and tried to help but wouldn't employee the Irish because they had their labor force with the Africans.
Learning that there are free and enslaved Africans in Philadelphia at this time. Free Africans often advocated for the freedom of all Africans and the end of oppression of one another. Absalom Jones and Octavious Catto were two of the instrumental advocates in Philadelphia. The Irish were upset because they couldn't make a way of their own and wanted the jobs the Africans had. The Irish then began to attack the Jamaican communities in south philly. Burned down their homes, schools and churches. All because they were dependent on a system created by the British.
I shared some of the facts of Juneteenth with my grandson, and try to share a little more each time we have the conversation. When i ask him what is Juneteenth he shares back that the state with a t, is where the last slaves where in our country. Best part in sharing this story is that i video recorded so that i'm telling the facts accurately. Looking forward to the Juneteenth curriculum used in our schools!!
Mr. Ron Brown aka Mr. Juneteenth Part 1 and 2
Here's more background on how Pennsylvania came to recognize Juneteenth:
Mr. Ron Brown presented on how Pennsylvania’s Juneteenth Celebration also commemorates June 19, 1863, the date on which the PA Abolitionist Society and the Union League of Philadelphia members gathered for a meeting to enforce President Abraham Lincoln Emancipation. The Society and Union League received the assistance of Octavos Cato, Frederick Douglas, and Harriet Tubman to precipitate the enlistment of what would become 11 Regiments of 10, 940 African USCTs in Camp William Penn (CWP), the first federal and largest, training camp of USCT’s enlisted in the Civil War. CWP’s 6th, 8th, 22nd, 41st, 43rd, and 127th Infantries fought and defeated the Confederacy Army at the Siege of Petersburg VA. The six USCT Infantries were re-organized to form the 25th Corps. The 25th Corps defeated and precipitated General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the Union Army. USCT of the 22nd Infantry of the 25th Corps, was assigned, and lead President Abraham Funeral Procession on April 25th, 1865. The 22nd Infantry was then assigned to, and did capture John Booth and Lincoln assassins on the Eastern Shores of Maryland. The 22nd Infantry rejoined the 25th Corps. The 25th Corps was mustered to Texas. The 25th Corps was assigned to surround and guard General Gordon Granger as he read General Order # 3 to enslaved Africans outside of the Osterman Building, the Union Headquarters, in Galveston Texas on June 19, 1865; General Order # 3 reading led to the eruption of a spontaneous celebration in the streets of Galveston Texas, the assembled Africans named the day, Juneteenth; which evolved from the combination of June, the month in which the celebration occurred and teenth, June 13th to June 19th (June-teenth), the length of time of 25th Corps Freedom March through Texas.
Please plan to join us for a Juneteenth conversation with #CloseTheCreek
From Plantations to Prisons Panel Discussion and Talkback (Reception starts at 6:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.)
Eric "Brother Shomari" Grimes, Radio Show host, “The Shomari Show” WURD 96.1FM and co-founder of AAKT (Action, Advocacy, Knowledge, & Training) Concepts for Social Justice and Community Development
Bobby Harris, #CLOSEthecreek Campaign Organizer and former juvenile lifer
Eric Marsh, Acting President of the Nicetown CDC Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee
This should be a deep conversation, and i look forward to sharing with you via video if you are not able to attend.
"Juneteenth is a day that we commit to each other the needed support as family, friends, and co-workers. It is a day we build coalitions that enhance African American economics...
... celebrate African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures."
--www.JUNTEENTH.com
