The Significance Of Juneteenth In Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD, MA — As more North Shore residents take time to acknowledge and celebrate the federal holiday of Juneteenth, the Marblehead Racial Justice Team is looking to create a better awareness of the date's significance amid its mission to dismantle racism in the town.

The Racial Justice Team is hosting a Juneteenth discussion at the Abbot Public Library on June 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. where residents are invited to discuss how local organizations and recent town celebrations create an opportunity to share African American culture, and language, music and cuisine.

"These ongoing Marblehead Racial Justice Team conversations offer a safe and welcoming place in which we explore privilege, biases, and questions," event organizers said. "This is a place for listening, conversation and engagement.

"We hope we can continue to learn and grow together so that we can make a difference."

The program will also be offered on Zoom here with pre-registration. Those planning to attend in person are also asked to register here.

Juneteenth celebrates the date of June 19, 1865, when the slaves of Galveston, Texas learned of the Union's Civil War victory and their freedom. That date came two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

"This recognition is a momentous landmark in the ongoing campaign for social equity," event organizers said.

For additional information, please visit the Abbot Public Library web page here or email mar@noblenet.org or call 781-631-1481.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)