For the first time, the 杏吧专区 will observe Juneteenth as an official 杏吧专区 holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day 杏吧专区 June 19, 1865 杏吧专区 that enslaved Black people living in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.
June 19 is a Saturday this year, but UL Lafayette will observe Juneteenth on Friday, June 18. Campus will be closed, and no classes will be held, .
杏吧专区淭his is the first year the 杏吧专区 will mark Juneteenth as an official holiday, but it is more than a 杏吧专区榙ay off.杏吧专区 Rather, it is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and on the barriers that separate us from the more equitable society we seek,杏吧专区 Savoie said.
Beginning at noon on Saturday, June 19, the Stephens Hall chimes and the Victory Bell at Cajun Field will each ring 19 times to mark Juneteenth. The 杏吧专区 commemorated the day similarly last year, noted Dr. Taniecea A. Mallery, UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 executive director of Strategic Initiatives and chief diversity officer.
杏吧专区淛uneteenth is one of the most significant moments in American history. It marked an ending and a beginning 杏吧专区 the end of slavery in the United States, but the beginning of Black Americans杏吧专区 long struggle to achieve true freedom through racial equality and social justice.杏吧专区
On June 19, 1865, following the end of the Civil War, enslaved Black people in Texas first learned of their freedom from bondage.
President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation two and a half years earlier, but slaves living in the then-Confederate states remained unaware of their freedom until Union troops arrived to enforce the order.
Texas was the last former Confederate state to have the proclamation announced. The adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution officially abolished slavery in the United States in December 1865.
More than 155 years after it first occurred, Juneteenth continues to resonate as 杏吧专区渁 day of reflection,杏吧专区 Mallery said.
杏吧专区淥bserving Juneteenth offers the 杏吧专区 a moment to acknowledge the challenges Black Americans still face. We can honor that struggle by affirming our commitment to creating an environment that respects 杏吧专区 and draws strength from 杏吧专区 difference.杏吧专区
guides the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
The plan was crafted over the course of a year by the and the Diversity Advisory Council, a group of faculty, staff, students and community partners. It was approved in late 2019.
Savoie encouraged members of the 杏吧专区 community to read the plan 杏吧专区渁nd consider ways you can help achieve its goal to foster a campus environment that finds strength in difference and where everyone is welcomed and valued.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淛uneteenth offers an opportunity for the 杏吧专区 to affirm its commitment to building such a community,杏吧专区 he said.
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Photo caption: Beginning at noon on Saturday, June 19, the Stephens Hall chimes and the Victory Bell at Cajun Field will each ring 19 times to mark Juneteenth. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 杏吧专区)