2006 ESSAY CONTEST

Noon, Saturday, June 17, 2006
FREEDOM PARK
on the corner of Route 235 and Tulagi Place

The essay contest "What Juneteenth Means to Me" garnered 110 entries from St. Mary's County public Middle and High Schools. Three winners will each receive a certificate recognizing their achievement and a monetary award --

1st Place    $300.00
2nd Place    $200.00
3rd Place    $100.00

3rd Place - Morgan Middleton
Senior at Chopticon Hish School

Ms. Middleton plans to study radiological technology after high school next year.

That great day, "Day of Deliverance," the day of "Freedom," or shall I say the "Emancipation Day." Emancipation can be defined as freedom from restraint, control, oppression, or the power of another. After reading more about this historical event, it has impacted my life today and into the future. Mainly this day is called Juneteenth (June nineteenth), which is a commemoration of the ending slavery. A reflection, a day of renewal, and a day of pride filled people, Juneteenth not only frees African Americans but also frees people of all races, nationalities, and ethnical groups. When I read about this day of recognition I felt passion, and even a sense of inspiration that makes me think, who really gave all people hope for a chance of freedom?

On January 1,1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a document by the name of the Emancipation of Proclamation. This document ordered the freedom from restrictions, convection, and release from control of others. A man named Gordon Granger entered into Galveston, Texas with an announcement that stated, "slavery in the United States has come to an end." All minorities had been freed on the day of June 19,1865 a little longer than two years after Lincoln had signed this document that had freed all races from slavery and oppression. A year later this event became known as an annual tradition and has been celebrated since that day.

In time many African Americans wanted to distance themselves from the thought of slavery. These emotions of hurt declined the enthusiasm of the observance of Juneteenth. However, in 1980 the state of Texas granted June 19th as an official holiday. Ever since that day the observance of Juneteenth has spread to all different parts of the United States.

So then you ask what is there to celebrate? The answer to that question consists of a lot of things such as self-improvement, African American accomplishment throughout history, respect, and tolerance of all cultures in the United States. Some of the activities that are involved are parades, picnics, tributes, speeches, music, gospel performances, baseball games, rodeos, and dances. This is a day to let go of unwanted fears and pain.

While reading more information about Juneteenth Day, I sit and ask myself a question. What does this day mean to me? This means committing myself as needed support to family, friends, and even classmates. While I read about this historical event I realize that because of it, there becomes a special bond between those I know and love. This day means acknowledging the effects of slavery and segregation. This day means bringing together all ages, young and old to learn, to refresh, to achieve what African Americans have worked for. This day means realizing the amount of wasted time of racism. Juneteenth gives my family and friends the right to an equal education. This is a day that makes me improve myself in order to fully receive the benefits of equality, respect, and appreciation of my race. In a simple conclusion, what Juneteenth means to me is the day that gives me liberty, gives me equality, and gives me a chance to be me, to be FREE!

2nd Place - Danielle Rodriguez

Juneteenth Day

When you hear Juneteenth Day, what do you think of? When I was young, I used to hear stories of Juneteenth Day. At that time, I really didn't understand what my grandmother meant. Now, after much research and thinking, I finally know what Juneteenth Day truly means.

After the Civil War ended and the Emancipation of Proclamation was signed, African-Americans finally had a chance for a new start, a chance for a new life. Slaves left their owners to have their chance for the same freedom as white Americans. To them, freedom that was once thought of as unattainable was going to come true. Freedom isn't something that can be bought or sold, like plantation owners did with imprisoned African-Americans. Freedom is an inalienable right that everyone is entitled to. It should never have been taken away from them in the first place. For the slaves in Texas, this great news won't reach them until 1865; two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation of Proclamation.

During the Civil War, Texas didn't have to suffer from many invasions from the Union. Each time Union troops were sent to Texas, they were trampled by the Confederate troops. This caused slavery to thrive. When I think of the slaves who were in Texas, I see horrifying images of African-Americans in fields, working until they pass out and being whipped like wild animals. How could people be so cruel? Even economics is no reason for people to be filled with prejudice. Some plantation owners even moved their slaves from the traditional South to Texas to wait and see when the war ended. Since there were many plantation owners in Texas, wanting their way of life to remain status quo, the news of the freedom of slaves didn't travel fast to Texas.

Juneteenth day showed me that Americans have come a long way from the signing of the Declaration of Independence. If the point of our Declaration was to create equality, why did it take so many years for African-Americans to finally to become free? Are African Americans so different from other Americans? Juneteenth Day helps people realize what the early African American ancestors had to endure while they waited for their freedom. From the brutal treatment to the atrocious living status, the slaves left a great legacy behind for us to discover. Today, I value our early African-American ancestors for their great survival. People of the Union risked their lives in order for thousands of enslaved African-Americans to become free, for all Americans to become free. People of diverse races can work as one to build a better future. Americans have proven it time and time again.

When General Gordon Granger came into Galveston, Texas, and publicly announced the freedom of slaves, there must have been numerous African--Americans jumping and screaming for joy. All of their prayers and hope had finally come true. No more misery and pain. Their doubts and anxieties would disappear. There is a new feeling of pride in me because I now see and sense our American past with new eyes. I hope to spread the idea of freedom to other nations of the world. I don't look at any person from a different ethnic group as a stranger, but as someone with the same hopes and desires as me. Why should someone be considered a savage, stupid or of a lower social standing because of the color of his or her skin? Others should realize that Juneteenth Day marks a turning point in United States history. The entire country needs to remember the day when the United States became one and granted everyone the basic right of freedom.

1st Place - Elizabeth Shupe

Juneteenth Day, which is observed on the third Saturday of every June, is a historical commemoration of June 19, 1865, the day that slavery was truly abolished on United States soil. It is symbolic of equality among all races, not just toward African Americans, and is an annual reminder of the trials faced by many people in order to reach the status our country is at today. Juneteenth Day, which originated in Texas, is now formally recognized in seventeen states and much effort is placed on increasing the event's popularity in the U.S.

In order to fully grasp the impact of Juneteenth Day today, one must fathom how slavery affected the United States. During the Civil War, which lasted from 1861-1865, slavery was a highly controversial issue in the United States. After all, the country viewed slavery with discrepancies depending on geography - the industrious North detested slavery, while the agriculturally-reliant South was exceedingly dependent upon it in order to succeed economically. During Abraham Lincoln's presidency, he incorporated the Emancipation Proclamation in hopes of alleviating slavery's firm hold on Southern ways. The Emancipation Proclamation, which went into effect on January 1, 1863, was aimed to free all enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. This addition was partially successful in that many slaves did gain freedom. A number of them joined the Union army. Though African American recruits were not as copiously paid as the Caucasian soldiers, they were still grateful for what they could receive. However, the Emancipation Proclamation did not achieve its full intentions; many African Americans continued to endure difficult labor and conditions despite it.

As the war progressed, both adversaries in the war needed more soldiers. By the conclusion of 1863, the Southern army had lost close to forty percent of its army. Since 1862, the Confederacy had required capable men between eighteen and forty-five to join the army. Under certain conditions, one could escape being recruited; some debate over how the war was becoming a "rich man's war but a poor man's fight" resulted because indigent people could not pay their way out of fighting, while the affluent could. The North also passed draft laws, and similarly to the South, offered draftees to employ substitutes instead. On the other hand, the North also gave three-hundred dollar bounties to men who served on their own volition. As a result, many men in the Union army volunteered and were paid.

President Abraham Lincoln was exasperated with many generals, whom were unable to defeat General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate army. However, Lee, who'd hoped that a Confederate victory on Northern soil would threaten the Northerners enough to offer calls of peace, narrowly won the Battle of Gettysburg, where 28,000 of his soldiers - more than the Union - were injured or killed. At that point, his goal seemed impossible. The North received great news the day after the Battle of Gettysburg, July 4, 1863, that Confederate troops in Vicksburg had surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant after a siege. Eight months later, President Lincoln named Grant as the commander of all the North's armies. Subsequently, General Grant contrived a plan to beat the South. General William Tecumseh Sherman, who led the Union in their quest to finally thwart General Lee, went to Atlanta and the Atlantic Coast, where their troops wreaked havoc. The North's success was encouraging, and General Sherman continued southward along with Grant, leading their troops through gory battles against Confederate fighters. At last in April 2, 1864, after a ten-month siege in Petersburg, Virginia, Lee was unable to continue. On April 9, 1865 in Appomattox Court House in Virginia, General Grant and General Lee delineated the terms of the latter's surrender. The Civil War was finally coming to a close.

A few months later on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, General Gordon Granger arrived with his troops and read "General Order No. 3," which enforced the freedom of slaves once and for all. Slavery had finally been abolished in the United States. People combined "June" and "nineteenth" to make "Juneteenth" the name that would describe this great event.

There are a high range of festivities to commemorate the memory of slavery's end. Barbecues are popular, with foods such as lamb, pork and beef, which used to be semi-rare dishes. There is also a tradition for serving strawberry-flavored soda. Any food in general was abundant because Juneteenth was recognized as a time when everyone participated and brought a special dish. In addition, current celebrations can include fishing, rodeos, and baseball games. Guest speakers are often called upon, elders recount the past, and sometimes prayer services are held as well.

Juneteenth Day impacts all of us in so many ways. Because of the elimination of slavery in the U.S., there is generally more respect directed toward African Americans. In addition, Americans have become increasingly tolerant of all ethnicities. Juneteenth is an example of how much the United States has matured as a nation (since the Civil War) and the progress we've made to venerate all cultures and backgrounds. Because of Juneteenth, people of all races aren't as widely discriminated against and have innumerable opportunities like they have always deserved.

However, as an unfortunate fact, racism still thrives within the United States. Many folks are judged superficially and prematurely based on petty characteristics such as the color of their skin, and it isn't right. Even today, hateful crimes and words continue to exist. Sadly, not everyone has become open-minded towards those who are different from themselves. In reality, there is much we can learn from those who offer a new perspective upon things. Juneteenth Day also serves as an indicator of what we must accomplish in the future.

In conclusion, Juneteenth Day is a historical occasion that provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the past and how we as a society have grown to prevail against the issues of slavery, as well as racism, discrimination, and so much more. We cannot go back and correct the immoral things we have said and done. But by learning about the past and striving to correct what we can now, we can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.