Governor calls Juneteenth part of ‘our history’

During the Juneteenth celebration in Rondo, Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the importance of remembering Juneteenth’s history and the dangers of trying to rewrite history.  

“Think about your school days you never heard about Juneteenth, let alone Tulsa. You did not hear these stories… Juneteenth is part of our history and our children need to know,” said Governor Walz during the third annual Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 19, 2023 hosted by The Rondo Center for Diverse Expression at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza. He joined other local and state officials, along with community members of historical significance, to honor Juneteenth as an official state-wide holiday.

Juneteenth, which originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865, celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and has been a widely commemorated holiday even before it became a federal holiday back in 2021. The holiday represents resilience and liberation for Black Americans, serving as a poignant reminder of their enduring struggle for freedom and equality throughout history.

The Rondo event, which included a job fair, centered around the theme of empowering youth through employment opportunities. Various businesses and job recruiters lined the street adjacent to the plaza, where folks could connect with prospective employers. 

Marvin Anderson, who is the executive director of the Rondo Center of Diverse Expression, spoke about the importance of building a future for oneself through hard work. He hopes that at least 10-20 people will have job opportunities stemming from the event. 

The event included performances by renowned musician, Patricia Lacy, and students of the Walker West Music Academy who performed an ensemble of songs that are significant to Black liberation, such as “Sweet Chariot,” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem.

Lee H. Jordan, the Midwest and State Director of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, gave a speech highlighting the importance of recognizing the history behind Juneteenth. “Part of Juneteenth is history, and once we start talking about history, we can fully get a better understanding of what it means to be free. Because first of all, when I went to school, they didn’t teach us the fact that we fought for our freedom,” said Jordan.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, who grew up in Rondo, echoed similar sentiments in his speech, noting that acknowledging America’s past is imperative to building a better future for the next generation.

“We’re ashamed of our past, so ban the books about it. We’re ashamed of our past, so ban Juneteenth. Don’t tell our kids about it so they won’t know, but don’t you know, you can’t drive forward without a rearview mirror? You cannot build a stronger, better, more inclusive future without understanding where we’ve come from,” said Mayor Carter. 

 

Dr. Marvin Dunn, who was the keynote speaker of the event, is a psychologist, historian and professor hailing from Deland, Fla. Some of his work includes, “A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes,” “Black Miami in the 20th Century,” and “The Kingsleys.” 

Dr. Dunn briefly shared his life story, from growing up in the Jim Crow era in the deep south to graduating with honors from the prestigious Morehouse College and eventually going on to become a naval officer. He reflected on these life moments and the pervasive racism that he endured throughout. 

“There’s something about being 83 that gives you perspective about race and about our country, about what we’ve gone through and what we must do to become a better country right now,” said Dunn. 

As a highly regarded race relations commentator, Dunn addressed Governor Ron Desantis’ controversial ban on critical race theory in Florida schools.

“One of the first signs of decline in a society is banning ideas. If you say you can’t discuss these topics in the schools in Florida, then, the books go out the window,” said Dunn. 

Dr. Dunn concluded his speech by acknowledging the work of Reconnect Rondo, a restorative movement focused on constructing a land bridge over Interstate 94. This initiative aims to reconnect the historically Black neighborhood that was previously divided by the highway more than 50 years ago.

“If you can build a landbridge to reconnect this community divided by the interstate, then we can do that in Miami,” said Dr. Dunn, “You’re setting the bar in this country to right an incredible wrong that has been imposed on Black communities across this country.”