Celebrating freedom and culture
Juneteenth celebration held in Marshall
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MARSHALL -- The music was playing at Independence Park, but people weren't just sitting and listening. As the Titambe West African Dance Ensemble played percussion, ensemble members taught a crowd of Marshall area residents the moves to go along with traditional drumming from Ghana.
It took a few practice runs, but soon the audience were doing a whole dance along with the group.
Younger members of the crowd said it was fun to learn the steps.
"It was nice," said Brennen Cullins.
Sharing African and African-American culture was part of the Juneteenth celebrations in Marshall on Sunday. The holiday celebrates freedom for Black Americans.
"We're also celebrating our African ancestry," through music and dance, said Joyce Tofte, one of the organizers of Sunday's events.
Juneteenth celebrates Black freedom, Tofte said. Although the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the U.S. in 1863, many enslaved people in Confederate territory weren't freed right away.
"It took years for people to find out they were free," Tofte said. "That's a huge thing."
Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that enslaved people in the state were free.
Tofte said the MORE Network -- short for Marshall Overcoming Racism through Education -- held a small Juneteenth celebration in Marshall last year. But because Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, group members decided to get together a bigger event this summer.
Area residents were welcome to share in the food and fun in the park.
"It's like the Fourth of July," Tofte said. "We have barbecued food, we have music, we have yard games."
The heat caused some schedule changes for this year's Juneteenth, but Tofte said there was still a good turnout. About 50 people came out to the park in the first hour or so of celebrations.
Besides music and food, there were also events like a story hour and a red velvet cake bakeoff. Red foods like red velvet cake and red soft drinks are traditionally part of Juneteenth, Tofte said.
"It's to signify the blood we shed during slavery," she said.
The celebrations brought people of different backgrounds together on Sunday. Ashley Dwire said her family went to the Juneteenth events to learn about Black history and the continued fight for equity.
"Even if you do not celebrate Juneteenth, acknowledging the importance of the day or taking time to learn about Black history and what you can do to help toward a more inclusive, loving nation is a step in the right direction," Dwire said.
Area residents said it was good to have a Juneteenth celebration in Marshall.
"I think it's a step forward," said Cinara Munford.
"I feel it should happen every year," said Jasmine Orina. Orina thought Juneteenth should be something every family celebrates, instead of a holiday for just part of the community. "I think all families should be here."