Cincinnati
AFL-CIO
Labor Council
News & Updates
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Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Dating back to 1865, it was on
June 19
th
that the Union soldiers, led by
Major General Gordon Granger
, landed at
Galveston, Texas
with news that the war had ended and that the
enslaved were now free
. Note that this was
two and a half years after
President Lincoln’s
Emancipation Proclamation
- which had
become official January 1, 1863
. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new
Executive Order
. However, with the
surrender of General Lee in April of 1865
, and the
arrival of General Granger’s regiment,
the
forces
were finally strong enough to
influence
and
overcome the resistance.
Later attempts to explain this
two-and-a-half-year delay
in the receipt of this important news have yielded
several versions
that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was
murdered
on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that the news was
deliberately withheld
by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of
one last cotton harvest
before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or none of these versions could be true. Certainly, for some,
President Lincoln's authority
over the rebellious states was in question. Whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas
remained status quo
well beyond what was statutory.
General Order Number 3
One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas,
General Order Number 3
which began most significantly with: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."
The
reactions to this profound news
ranged from pure
shock
to immediate
jubilation
. While many lingered to learn of this new employer to employee relationship, many left before these offers were completely off the lips of their former 'masters' - attesting to the varying conditions on the plantations and the realization of freedom.
Even with nowhere to go
, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp of freedom. North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the
desire to reach family members in neighboring states
drove some into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Settling into these new areas as free men and women brought on new realities and
the challenges of establishing a heretofore non-existent status for black people in America.
Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and its festivities would serve as motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered in their new territories. The celebration of
June 19
th
was coined "Juneteenth"
and grew with more participation from descendants.
The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for gathering remaining family members.
Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and descendants making an
annual pilgrimage back to Galveston
on this date.
Juneteenth Festivities and Food
A range of activities were provided to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today.
Rodeos
,
fishing
,
barbecuing
and
baseball
are just a few of the typical Juneteenth activities you may witness today. Juneteenth
almost always focused on education and self-improvement
. Thus, often
guest speakers
are brought in and the elders are called upon to recount the events of the past.
Prayer services
were also a major part of these celebrations.
Certain foods became popular
and subsequently synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations such as
strawberry soda-pop
. More traditional and just as popular was the barbecuing, through which Juneteenth participants could
share in the spirit
and aromas that their ancestors - the newly emancipated African Americans, would have experienced during their ceremonies. Hence, the
barbecue
pit is often established as the
center of attention
at Juneteenth celebrations.
Food was abundant because everyone prepared a special dish. Meats such as lamb, pork and beef which were not available everyday were brought on this special occasion. A true Juneteenth celebration left visitors well satisfied and with enough conversation to last until the next.
Dress was also an important element
in early Juneteenth customs
and is often still taken seriously, particularly by the direct descendants who can make the connection to this tradition's roots.
During slavery there were laws on the books in many areas that prohibited or limited the dressing of the enslaved
. During the initial days of the emancipation celebrations, there are accounts of former slaves
tossing their ragged garments
into the creeks and rivers and
adorning themselves with clothing
taken from the plantations
belonging to their former 'masters'.
Juneteenth and Society
In the early years, little interest existed outside the African American community in participation in the celebrations. In some cases, there was
outwardly exhibited resistance by barring the use of public property
for the festivities.
Most of the festivities
found themselves out in rural areas
around rivers and creeks that could provide for additional activities such as
fishing
,
horseback riding
and
barbecues
.
Often church grounds were the site for such activities.
Eventually, as African Americans became landowners, land was donated and dedicated for these festivities. One of the earliest documented land purchases in the name of Juneteenth was organized by
Rev. Jack Yates
. This fund-raising effort yielded $1000 and made possible the purchase of
Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas
. In
Mexia
, the local Juneteenth organization purchased
Booker T. Washington Park
, which had become the Juneteenth celebration site in 1898. There are accounts of Juneteenth activities being interrupted and halted by white landowners demanding that their laborers return to work. However, it seems most allowed their workers the day off and some even made donations of food and money.
For decades these annual celebrations flourished
, growing continuously with each passing year. In Booker T. Washington Park, as many as
20,000 African Americans once attended
during the course of a week,
making the celebration one of the state’s largest.
Juneteenth Celebrations Decline
Economic and cultural forces led to a decline in Juneteenth activities
and participants beginning in the early 1900’s. Classroom and textbook education in lieu of traditional home and family-taught practices stifled the interest of the youth due to
less emphasis and detail on the lives of former slaves.
Classroom textbooks proclaimed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 as the date signaling the ending of slavery - and mentioned
little or nothing of the impact of General Granger’s arrival on June 19
th
.
The Depression forced many people off the farms and into the cities to find work. In these urban environments, employers were less eager to grant leaves to celebrate this date. Thus,
unless June 19
th
fell on a weekend
or holiday, there were very few participants available.
July 4
th
was already the established Independence holiday and a rise in patriotism steered more toward this celebration.
Resurgence
The
Civil Rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s yielded both positive and negative results for the Juneteenth celebrations
. While it pulled many of the African American youth away and into the struggle for racial equality, many linked these struggles to the historical struggles of their ancestors. This was evidenced by student demonstrators involved in the Atlanta civil rights campaign in the early 1960’s, who wore Juneteenth freedom buttons.
Again in 1968, Juneteenth received another strong resurgence through the Poor Peoples March to Washington D.C.
Rev. Ralph Abernathy’s call for people of all races, creeds, economic levels and professions to come to Washington to show support for the poor.
Many of these attendees returned home and initiated Juneteenth celebrations in areas previously absent of such activities.
In fact,
two of the largest
Juneteenth celebrations founded after this March are now held in
Milwaukee
and
Minneapolis
.
Texas Blazes the Trail
On
January 1, 1980
, Juneteenth became
an official state holiday
through the efforts of
Al Edwards
, an African American state legislator. The successful passage of this bill marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.
Edwards has since actively sought to spread the observance of Juneteenth all across America.
Juneteenth In Modern Times
Today, Juneteenth is enjoying a
phenomenal growth rate
within communities and organizations throughout the country. Institutions such as the
Smithsonian
, the
Henry Ford Museum
and others have begun
sponsoring Juneteenth-centered activities
. In recent years, a number of local and national Juneteenth
organizations
have arisen to take their place along side older organizations - all with the mission to
promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.
Juneteenth today,
celebrates African American freedom and achievement,
while encouraging
continuous self-development
and
respect for all cultures
. As it takes on a
more national, symbolic and even global perspective
, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for
all of the roots tie back
to this fertile soil from which
a national day of pride is growing.
The
future of Juneteenth looks bright
as the number of cities and states creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase. Respect and appreciation for all of our differences grow out of exposure and working together. Getting involved and supporting Juneteenth celebrations creates new bonds of friendship and understanding among us. This indeed brightens our future - and that is the
Spirit of Juneteenth
.
History of Juneteenth ©JUNETEENTH.com
–
Look for the
Official Juneteenth Worldwide Celebration
emblem at Juneteenth events across America and beyond! You'll know you have a friend, a common bond and a worldwide family.
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JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS TODAY!
JUNETEETH FLAG TO FLY OVER CITY HALL
CELEBRATION AT CITY HALL AT 10 AM
ALL INVITED – MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCE REQUESTED
JUNE 19-21 CitiCable 23 88 7:00 pm
JUNE 19-21 Waycross 8 & 979 850 5:00 pm
JUNE 19-21 TBNK 200 819 7:00 pm
JUNE 19-21 CCTV 186 811 7:00 pm
JUNE 19 IRC 18 848 7:30 pm
JUNE 20 IRC 8 838 6:30 pm
JUNE 21 IRC 8 838 7:00 pm
Watch a sneak preview of the Virtual Juneteenth Festival and Father’s Day concert
HERE!
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Workers First Caravan for
Racial + Economic Justice
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This past Wednesday, June 17,
Working people across the country joined together to demand safe jobs, economic security and freedom from systemic racism.
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our country. Tens of thousands of America’s workers have died and millions more have lost jobs. Yet Congress and President Trump aren’t responding to this crisis with the urgency it deserves.
All across America, working people joined together in solidarity for the
Workers First Caravan for Racial + Economic Justice
. Our choice is not picking healthy people or a healthy economy or upholding justice. The choice is simply this: all or none. We choose all. That is why today and every day that follows, working people will mobilize like never before to make the
HEROES Act
the law of the land and to enact the policing reforms that are the first step toward ridding our laws and institutions of systemic racism.
To do this, we need our elected leaders to implement America’s Five Economic Essentials
to save lives and our economy, and to pass the HEROES Act, which will be one of the most important pieces of social legislation in decades.
Support America’s Five Economic Essentials
We need the Senate to:
- Keep front-line workers safe and secure.
- Keep workers employed and protect earned pension checks.
- Keep state and local governments, our public schools and the U.S. Postal Service solvent and working.
- Keep America healthy—protect and expand health insurance for all workers.
- Keep America competitive—hire people to build infrastructure.
CALL YOUR SENATOR NOW!
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Team AFL-CIO National Newsletter Highlights CLC Worker's Caravan Video
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Recently, members of our Local Affiliates raised their voices in a video produced as part of the National Day of Action, the
"Workers First Caravan for Racial + Economic Justice."
They were asking the Senate to support workers by supporting
The Heroes Act.
The following shout-out to the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council appeared in the Wednesday, June 17 Special Edition of the national Team AFL-CIO Newsletter in recognition of that video:
Cincinnati Union Members Call for Passage of the HEROES Act
As thousands of workers across the country take part in collective action today to demand racial and economic justice, union members in Cincinnati are lending their voices to demand that the U.S. Senate pass the HEROES Act. This
video from the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council
shows these members who work for public schools, the U.S. Postal Service, building trades, private businesses and public services. While workers of color have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and high levels of unemployment, dozens of union members in Cincinnati all joined together to share one simple message:
Support the HEROES Act.
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Survey Finds Black Workers Retaliated Against at Higher Rates for Speaking Out About Unsafe Working Conditions
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According to a nationwide survey from the National Employment Law Project (NELP),
Black workers are being retaliated against at a much higher rate
than their White counterparts for speaking out about unsafe working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. While one in eight workers who responded to the survey has perceived possible employer retaliation against working people in their company for raising health and safety concerns during the pandemic, Black workers are more than twice as likely as White workers to have seen possible retaliation. NELP explained, “Our results suggest that virus transmission in the workplace may be exacerbated by employer repression and that the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black communities may be related to
greater exposure of Black workers to repressive workplace environments
.”
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Firefighters Organize New IAFF Local Unions in Ohio and Michigan
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Two of the newest affiliates to join the Fire Fighters (IAFF) are Local 5272 in Oxford, Ohio, and Local 5267 in Highland Township, Michigan. As the emergency service needs of the city of Oxford and community of Highland Township continue to grow, additional full-time positions have been added. “Our primary reason for organizing was to
ensure we have a seat at the table
as decisions are being made about fire department protocols and resources,” said Local 5272 President Jeremy Smith. “We are also hoping to establish a strong labor-management relationship with our city administration.” Local 5267 President Nicholas George said, “We are proud to become part of the IAFF and are
looking forward to connecting with fellow IAFF members
and its resources to continue to aid in the improvement of our department.” Since March 15, more than 15 new locals have joined the IAFF. Membership has increased 45% since 2000 to over 320,000, with steady growth every year.
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Lunch With Your Legislators Is Back Today at 11:00 AM
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Your legislators were on the floor of the Statehouse last week until 2 AM Friday morning, unfortunately requiring us to miss Lunch with your Legislators. We are excited to be back this week to reconnect with you all and to celebrate Pride Month. If you have not registered for today's Lunch with your Legislators event yet, the time is now!
Join us
today, June 19th, at 11:00 am
on Facebook Live and Zoom. This week we are joined by
Equality Ohio to discuss LGBTQ+ issues
. Please
sign up here
or by clicking the invitation below.
Come enjoy Lunch with your Legislators while we answer your questions and discuss what the future holds for all of us. We work for you and want to make sure we do so in the best way possible.
Please
sign up here
to enjoy another conversation with your legislators. As long as we continue to work together and stay strong, I know we can get through this! R
egister at:
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We Demand a Safe, Anti-Racist, Equitable Re-Opening of Schools
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The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have laid even more the bare systemic racism that has always existed. The uprising for Black Lives has shown the kind of movement we need to transform society. The disproportionate, deadly impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and working-class communities has shown in sharp relief the lack of a social safety net.
Amidst all of this, public education, one of the remaining hopes for racial justice, advancement, democracy, and community, is either targeted with devastating budget cuts or neutral budgets in a crisis of historic proportions. In this unprecedented moment, with public schools reopening post-COVID-19, we must demand transformed schools, a transformed social system, and a transformed economy.
Come learn from CPS students, parents, community members and teachers; listen and help take action for a safe, anti-racist, equitable re-opening of schools.
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Moira Weir asks "Have you seen our latest video?"
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Dear United Way friends,
Have you seen our latest video? It truly captures what United Way means to this community.
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David Taylor, this year’s campaign chair, devoted P&G resources and enlisted a Cincinnati creative agency, Curiosity, to make this happen. Both worked with our in-house marketing team over the past few months to help define United Way’s value to the community. We are extremely grateful.
The words are powerful. I am thrilled how they personalize the giving community I have come to know and love.
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Sincerely,
Moira Weir
President/CEO
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Stamp
Out Hunger Donor Drive
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Dear friends,
The Donor Drive is live!!!
Go and share and retweet what has been posted. So excited!
- Go to http://nalc.org/food
- Select your state
- Choose a food bank in your area
- Make a contribution
So EASY!
#NALC #stampouthunger #donordrive #heroesdelivering #lettercarriers
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Supreme Court Extends Protections to LGBTQ Workers in Landmark Decision
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“Today, the Court recognized that discrimination based on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity is rooted in sex discrimination. The approximately 11.5 million LGB people and 1.5 million transgender people in the United States are now protected from discrimination in workplaces across the country. While many lower courts already have recognized that, we now have clarity from the highest court in the land.”
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George Tucker (1942-2020)
Labor Leader Active in Community
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George R. Tucker, a longtime northwest Ohio labor leader, trustee of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library since 2000, and mostly recently, its board president, died Friday, June 12, 2020 in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, South Detroit Avenue. He was 78.
Mr. Tucker of Sylvania Township had cancer three times, lung cancer most recently. “He beat them all, including this last time,” his wife Deb, said...
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- Nearly 8.4 million global cases and nearly 450,000 deaths have been confirmed.
- The coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries/regions.
- There have been at least 118,000 deaths in the United States.
- More than 2.1 million cases in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., have been reported.
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Other Important Headlines:
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In
an effort to better serve you, we've adopted a new approach to information dissemination. We've included in this single email the best information we have received recently on issues of importance to all of us. If you have information you would like included in future distributions, please send it to:
Brian D. Griffin |
Director of Communication & Technology
Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council | 513.421.1846 Office | 513.608.0033 Cell | bgriffin@cincinnatiaflcio.org
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Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council
Bill Froehle, President
Pete McLinden, Executive Secretary-Treasurer
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