Juneteenth Celebration: Juneteenth, an American holiday commemorates June 19, 1865. On this same day in 1865, the pronouncement of the elimination of slavery in the U.S. states of Texas was declared. Also more commonly the day marks the liberation of enslaved African Americans all over the former Confederate States of America.
For about seven years, the celebration of Juneteenth at the Museum of Fine Arts has been the welcoming of seizures, a night when one of the city’s most sophisticated spaces turn out to be home to a cheerful celebration of African-American freedom.
Juneteenth is held every year and this year in 2019, the day is going to be celebrated on Wednesday, 19 June 2019.
The MFA draws the attention of thousands of people to its annual Juneteenth commemoration. This year the event is planned for Wednesday night that is on June 19 in order to honor and celebrate the notable day.
At present, the MFA seems to be a somewhat awkward space for a multicultural celebration after a group of students from Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy in Dorchester was exposed to racist comments a month before.
There have been a number of investigations going on regarding that upsetting incident that also comprises of one by Attorney General Maura Healey and another, appointed by the MFA, by earlier attorney general Scott Harshbarger.
Juneteenth is around the corner and Slavery in the United States was traced back to the 16th century when the Spanish explorers carried African slaves along with them to the New World. It lasted up to the Emancipation Proclamation approached into effect on January 1, 1863. On that date, Texas was mainly controlled by forces rebellious for the Confederate States, which opposed the elimination of slavery.
The MFA’s Juneteenth celebration started back in the year 2012 when a local artist, James Pierre, recommended to his activist friends that they should find out a way to bring more assortment into the halls of the MFA. Malia Lazu, who is the founder of the Urban Labs, keenly took the proposition and ran with it, and the museum approved to take a partnership.
Malia Lazu said, “I think the MFA is one of the most beautiful spaces we have, as far as high culture.” The statement further added, “The idea of having such a beautiful room filled with beautiful diversity was a night I wanted. I wanted a night to get dressed, look cute, and have it be all about my culture.”
But now the situation is totally different soon after the controversy struck last month. All over there is a buzz about what it would mean for the Juneteenth event.
After that unacceptable event, there’s a big question buzzing around that would black people will still feel comfortable going out there?
An MFA official said on this matter that this time too she expects the event is going to go off as efficiently as ever. Makeeba McCreary who is the MFA’s chief of learning and community engagement said that a loss of community support would be unlucky for them.
She said, “I can’t conceive of a space needing to be infused with this kind of energy and the energy choosing just to not show up.”
She further added by saying, “I’m heartbroken that it comes at the expense of young people having an experience they should not have anywhere in this city. But I know they have been incredibly courageous, and I’m committed to being part of the solution.”
Well, even after this unfortunate incident and being on the buzz around the month, everyone still knows at the end that MFA has been a part of Juneteenth celebration for many years and maybe it perhaps have to continue to be the same way.
