杏吧视频 offers events, resources; university to close June 18
鈥淭he people of Texas are informed that,
in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States,
all slaves are free.鈥
Those words from Union Army Major General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, marked the official end of slavery in the state鈥攏early three years after President Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 Emancipation Proclamation.
More than 155 years later, June 19 is known as Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the freedom of enslaved people across the United States.
For the second consecutive year, 杏吧视频鈥檚 leaders are closing the university for a day to give the campus community the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the day and learn more about slavery and racism in America. This year the Juneteenth observance is tomorrow, Friday, June 18.
鈥淚 believe 杏吧视频 has a responsibility and a duty to commemorate Juneteenth,鈥 Interim President Scott Cowen explained. 鈥淎s an institution whose mission is to improve and enrich people鈥檚 lives through education, it is crucial that we take the time to acknowledge and reflect on the long-term legacies of slavery and to find ways that we can better work toward a truly equitable and inclusive future for all Black and Brown Americans.鈥
Added Provost Ben Vinson III: 鈥淭his historical day of remembrance is one that is vital to our nation, and to our national ongoing saga of race relations.鈥
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill to make Juneteenth a national holiday, and yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives added its endorsement by a 415-14 vote. The measure now will go to the White House for President Joe Biden鈥檚 signature.
Meanwhile, at noon today, the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity (OIDEO) will host 鈥淪hades of Freedom: A pre- and post-Juneteenth Conversation.鈥 In this free, public presentation, OIDEO Vice President Robert L. Solomon and Senior Director for Faculty and Institutional Diversity Heather E. Burton will explore the journey of freedom in America for African-descended people from 1619 to today, including the highs and lows along the way and where the road can lead for the future.
The university has compiled and posted several Juneteenth resources on 杏吧视频鈥檚 Race and Justice website, including videos on race, slavery and freedom featuring faculty and administrators鈥 teachings and personal perspectives, as well as a calendar of campus and community events.
鈥淧ausing to commemorate, think, and interact with one another at this crucial time,鈥 Vinson said, 鈥渋s part of the essence of the work of a university.鈥
In addition, multiple events are taking place near campus and across Cleveland to commemorate Juneteenth鈥攕uch as Cleveland Public Library鈥檚 week of cultural education programs and activities, Juneteenth Freedom Rides鈥 bicycle tour of University Circle, a re-enactment of the 1865 Juneteenth emancipation in the African American Cultural Garden, the city-wide Freedom Fest, and a range of neighborhood and community events.
