JUNETEENTH Spoken Word and Poetry CELEBRATION FRIDAY

When:Friday JUNE 19 2009
Where:The Chashama Theater
217 East 42nd Street
Between 2nd & 3rd Avenues
New York, New York
Time:8pm
Cost:$10

Hosted by Mr. Ace. Juneteenth is the name given by Africans in America to the date of June 19th. This day is significant as it is known as the anniversary of the June 19, 1865 announcing of the end of overt slavery in Galveston Texas by Union forces. Over two years after the January 1, 1863 effective date of the abolition of overt slavery via the Emancipation Proclamation.

Therefore June 19 is observed by Africans as the official date of the abolition of overt slavery and not the issue date of September 22, 1862 nor January 1, 1863 the legally effective date.

The Africans in Texas organized and purchased properties upon which to host their celebrations. The three locations in Texas are; Emancipation Park in Houston, Booket T. Washington Park in Mexia and Emancipation Park in Austin. The celebration of the date is more popular in southern states, with Texas officially establishing June 19 as Emancipation Day in 1981.

Now, we clearly know that the legal abolition of overt chattel slavery changed little during that time. The gains that that were made were not granted, the ancestors fought for them. Also we still are struggling with the task to free the minds of Africans and all people worldwide.

On June 19 2009 Show off Entertainment is putting on an event of poetry and music to commemorate this date.