OUR VIEW LOGO (NEW)

Celebrations this week are being held in the Rogue Valley for Juneteenth, a national holiday to mark the final day slavery was legal in the United States.

Southern Oregon University held its celebration Tuesday in Ashland, and BASE Southern Oregon’s event is planned for Saturday in Medford’s Pear Blossom Park.

“This year, we’re going to have all the things that really made it the centerpiece of our year. It’s really an opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate,” said Jess Freedman of BASE (Black Alliance and Social Empowerment) Southern Oregon.

Along with musical acts, drumming, dancing and speakers, Medford Mayor Randy Sparacino will read the city’s Juneteenth proclamation, recent SOU graduate Brett Hollins will tell his story of resilience, and members of BASE’s youth program will deliver speeches.

Juneteenth — officially celebrated June 19 — was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. While the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln Jan. 1, 1863, declared more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans as free, it could not be implemented in Confederate territories during the Civil War. After approximately 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, June 19, 1865, the army announced that the 250,000-plus enslaved people in Texas were free, marking the final day of legal slavery in the United States.

The 2023 city proclamation notes the historical significance of the holiday and how the emancipation date marked a seminal turning point for “those long suffering for freedom.” It also makes the case that by promoting equality, we become a better community.

“Since then, as the oldest-known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in America, this tradition has remained strong well into the 21st century, to recognize the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery and to honor the strength, endurance and faith of African American ancestors … it is imperative that citizens join together to acknowledge a time in our history that carried on the nation’s ideals of equality and democracy and celebrate the joys of liberty and justice for every citizen.”

Freedman notes that the day of celebration is a chance to “emphasize how much of this is shared American history.”

“The theme this year is Resilience, which embodies the Black community, but also the Southern Oregon community, as well,” she said.

It is critical that equality and inclusion are promoted in our community, and this is one of many ways to celebrate our diversity. On June 22, crowds will return to Pear Blossom Park for the third annual Medford Pride event, celebrating the local Queer community and the people who support and uplift LGBTQIA2S+ people and families.

Both of these events should be welcomed with open arms by residents of the Rogue Valley. It is through celebrations like these that our community becomes more tight-knit, where everyone who has a part in the daily life of our region is recognized and appreciated.

“BASE, at our core, are people within this community who wanted to envision somewhere where our kids could love growing up in this community as much as we love it,” Freedman said. “We want to see a more inclusive space for our kids … We’re always trying to find ways to build a sound community.”

To learn more about BASE Southern Oregon, sign up for youth programs or volunteer to help the local nonprofit, visit baseoregon.org. To learn more about Medford Pride 2024, go to medfordfood.coop/calendar/medford-pride-2024.