Juneteenth

Today is an important day in two ways in Texas.  On June 19, 1865, blacks received the official word that slavery and the Civil War had ended.  This was of course 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.  News didn't travel too fast and the war effort of course did not help.  Nonetheless, the day has been celebrated since then primarily by the African-American community.  Juneteenth is  a Texas state holiday as well.

When I was younger Juneteenth was also celebrated at the Houston Country Club with a summer-type party, swimming, buffet supper and other outdoor events.  Very similar to the other summer celebrations - Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day.  Typically it was held on the nearest Monday with the club then being closed on Tuesday.  My mother was the one who told me of the history of Juneteenth.

As was the case with many of my perceptions as a young person, I was quite naive of the events around me.  There were no black members of the country club, no black children, no black culture.  There were black employees.  A friend later told a chilling story - that the club originally "celebrated" Juneteenth to keep the black employees from taking the day off.  Whether true or not, what does it matter?  - diversity was not always so prized.

The Juneteenth celebration is no more.  The last one I recall was probably in the early 80s.  At one time my father said there was a Old South-type painting of a club Juneteenth celebration  - white patrons and black servers.  Like the Juneteenth celebration, the painting has been removed from the club and its collective memory as an embarrassing relic.