By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
The Biden-Harris administration held the second annual Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn of the White House on June 10.
The event started at 7:30 pm and was hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr., who cracked jokes throughout the night while also emphasizing the importance of celebrating Juneteenth.
The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas found out that they were free through the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863.
President Joe Biden gave a speech during the concert and stated that the June 10 celebration was a “fitting tribute” for the holiday. The president also took a moment to discuss recent attacks launched against diversity and equity programs across the nation.
“Old ghosts in new garments trying to take us back– taking away your freedoms, making it harder for Black people to vote or have your vote counted,” he added. “Our history is not just about the past, it’s about our present and our future…for all of us.”
In attendance were Congressional members Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Ayanna Pressley, (D-Mass-7), Cori Bush (D-Mo-1) Maxine Waters, (D-Calif-43) and Steven Horsford, (D-Nev-4), attorney Ben Crump, MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend and rapper Joey Bada$$.
“It’s an honor to be invited–especially looking at what this nation faces at this point. Specifically, with what I’d consider essentially a race war,” said Ameshia Cross, a Democratic strategist. “We’re seeing measures to erase curriculum that is reflective of what actually happened in American history.”
Pressley stated she attended the Juneteenth concert to pay tribute to Opal Lee, the advocate who pushed for the holiday to become nationally recognized.
“She made this possible and many fought to make this holiday real,” said Pressley. “There are a lot of people who bled, who prayed, who paved the way…for me to be involved everyday in the work of Black liberation.”
Over a two-hour period, guests experienced performances from Patti LaBelle, Anthony Hamilton, Kirk Franklin, Raheem DeVaughn, Charlie Wilson, Doug E. Fresh, Gladys Knight and many other talented artists.
LaBelle sang her hit song “Love, Need and Want You,” Hamilton sang his classic “Charlene” and Kirk Franklin gave the audience a show while dancing to his song “Love Theory.”
“This was a celebration of achievements against a backdrop of people who are trying to erase it and make it harder for Black people to have access points,” said Cross. “President is going against all odds to ensure there’s equity and strength for the Black community.”
In 2021, Biden signed a law that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. This year Juneteenth will be recognized on Wednesday, June 19.