Despite the rain, the Juneteenth celebration at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! was filled with joy, reflection and resilience. Under umbrellas, ponchos and tents, Brooklynites gathered in the spirit of freedom, legacy, community and most importantly, love.
BRIC's third annual Juneteenth celebration at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park on Thursday was headlined by Dallas-based Ghost-Note. Voices of a People’s History shared readings from an anthology edited by historians Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove that honors the stories and traditions woven into the diverse tapestry of American history, while DJ Flash Gordon Parks got things grooving with Hip-Hop, funk and soul tunes.
Juneteeth, a turning point in American history, is a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and cultural expression. More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, June 19, 1865, marks the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom.
Though the skies opened up on this year's celebration, so did the hearts of spectators. The rain became part of the rhythm as Brooklyn residents enjoyed spoken word and history. Artists performed with passion, reminding us that freedom is not weather dependent.
