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A UMNS Commentary
By Kliphton Joel Taylor*

1:00 P.M. EDT June 17, 2011

The Emancipation Memorial at Lincoln Park in Washington was sculpted by Thomas Ball.
Photo by Jonathon D. Colman, Flickr.

We’ve come a long way since the abrogation of slavery. If it had not been for the arrival of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger’s Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, with the news slavery and the war had ended, no colored person would have known of his freedom.

It was June 19, 1865, when the enslaved learned they were freed, two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth has been celebrated since, and I will continue to appreciate every second of the celebration, even if all of the festivities seem to be on the hottest days of summer.

As a young black man I can never comfortably say that I know what slavery was like. I can never claim to have experienced the same whippings and verbal tortures that my ancestors did. That would be incorrect of me.

Nonetheless, I make sure that I bask in my everyday rights. I am incredibly aware of the privileges that I have and I take advantage of them. The slaves were shocked by the news of freedom, but it wasn’t long before their mood changed to jubilation. Although I have those days when I am unappreciative of things because I think I am entitled to them, I think I hop back to reality much sooner than most persons of color my age.

I love Juneteenth and everything about it! I’ve always attended the annual parade in Austin — just days after my birthday — and I have a blast! I see and connect with old friends while meeting new ones. I get to see so many different talents, ranging from cool kids on drums to pretty ladies and sometimes masculine men dancing for Jesus and singing and acting.

While viewing the parade, I am amazed by the talent of my brothers and sisters. Half of them don’t even know how talented they are; they just do it for fun. Last year I remember turning 18 and being so high on “adulthood,” that I decided to run into the parade and hug a friend from years ago…it didn’t end well. I quickly was returned to my seat by a bigger gentleman.

I indulge myself in activities during the days of festivities. Where I live, there are rodeos, barbecues and an exorbitant choice of outdoor activities such as football and basketball. There are even some games of basketball in which parents play their children; I think those are the best.

During Juneteenth there are so many choices of go-to-sleep food. The vast majority of food stands sell traditional strawberry soda-pop like mad. The strawberry soda-pop became my favorite beverage after my first parade.

Kliphton Joel Taylor is a sophomore communications major at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of Kliphton
Joel Taylor.

Just the cadence of this annual celebration is soothing to me. I am able to be around not only people like me but people who love other people. I experience emotion from many perspectives. I have noticed the diversity in the parades, and I have heard many Caucasians — while joining in the celebration — express their appreciation for the Juneteenth festivities, which gives me a feeling of unexplainable joy.

I want to emphasize how important the Juneteenth celebration is each year. This celebration not only brings joy to all who participate but also to all who are part of the festivities indirectly including those who are working nonstop and want to partake but settle for a friend or two bringing them back awesome stories.

Juneteenth brings together old friends and presents the opportunity to make new loving relationships and friendships to all who attend. The Juneteenth celebration is redoubtable. It has only increased in safety, originality and peace as the years have progressed. I trust that this year’s celebration will be an outstanding reflection of what He wants for us.

*Taylor is a sophomore communications major at United Methodist-related Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. He published his first book, “Perfectly Imperfect,” in January. The sequel is due out in January 2012.

News media contact: Maggie Hillery, Nashville, Tenn., 615-742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.