HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Community leaders said they wanted to take Juneteenth as an opportunity to educate.
Juneteenth celebrations commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S., honoring the day a group of enslaved people heard the news of emancipation after the end of the Civil War.
“Its very important now that we understand the past, not to hurt anyone, not to shame anyone, but to help us all to go forward,” said Karockas “Doc Rock” Watkins, the event’s moderator. “Education is the equalizer, it’s the great equalizer.”
Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021 and an official Alabama state holiday this year.
“We all need to embrace it so we can learn from one another to go forward as a country,” Watkins said. “In the time we are in now, we absolutely need to have some unity.”
Community leaders came together for a conversation with the public about tradition, culture and religion. Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards said education is an important part of preparing for the future.
“There’s so much going on in the community that we just don’t want to face, but you can’t overcome what you don’t talk about,” Edwards said. “So, we’ve gathered here today to talk about some of those issues and prayerfully leave here with some solutions and some healing.”
The community conversation encouraged people to ask questions and share their experiences.
“We can go back and look at how we’ve overcome, to give us strength on how to move forward,” Edwards said. “When there is a conversation to be had and we have work to do, we’re going to come out.”
Organizers said they hope to hold the event again next year.
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