Celebrations on June 10 are taking place across the country, as well as across Southland, and hundreds of people are gathering to enjoy a good time, but also to think about the importance of the holidays.
One of the events that attracted a large mass of people was the celebration in Leimert Park.
“Junnesti belongs to blacks,” said Eliza Franklin, a UCLA student. “This is our day and we should be able to celebrate it and be free and be as free and black as we want, we deserve it.
June is a day of remembrance for the end of slavery in the United States. The Leimert Park Bloc Party showcased the rich culture of the black community.
“Everything you see here is from Ghana and it’s hand-sewn or hand-sewn,” said Dedra Dixon, owner of Ghana Connection.
Dixon said her collection is her way of bridging African culture through art and fashion with us here at home.
“I feel that more people need to know about their culture as African Americans, we need to be more connected,” Dixon said.
Sunday’s events were partly a day of celebration, but also a time to reflect on the country’s tragic history.
“It’s not a very important day, it’s all about raising awareness to wake people up to the injustices committed by the authorities on this planet,” said Baba Mussolin, one of the people visiting Leimert Park on Sunday.
“I’m 64 years old and I’ve seen a lot of changes, and I’m excited that everyone can be here to reunite as one instead of individually, so it’s very special to me,” said local pastor Keith Shepard.
For others, Juneteenth is just a formality and they hope to embody the spirit of what a day means in everyday life.
“Every day for me is June,” said VL Jackson, co-owner of a company called Grandma’s Medicine.
“Junnesti is just another day for us to actually be around each other in a larger group and to really take the free time to come and share our gifts and uplift each other and motivate each other.”
For those like UCLA student Franklin, the weekly event gave her a way out to enjoy her heritage and community without fear or anxiety.
“When I look around, I feel great, you hear the drums and you feel it,” Franklin said. “It’s something about being close to blacks and being in the element, not being under control because of your hair or how you look or how you are dressed and you can just be in community with each other.
Although many events took place over the weekend, the federal holiday is recognized on Monday.
