'It’s everybody’s history’

MOSES LAKE — Juneteenth isn’t just an African American observance, it’s a part of American history. That’s what the organizers of this year’s Juneteenth event want to get across. 

“It’s a celebration of freedom and equality for everybody today, in our society,” said Martin Luther King Jr. Committee President Miranda Bridges. 

The committee is planning an event at McCosh Park on – as the name would suggest – June 19. There will be music, food, door prizes and a whole lot of opportunity to learn about a part of American history the organizers feel is important to understand. 

“This is the reason why we like to bring education and awareness because everybody should know their history,” said MLK Committee Vice President Ladonna Richie. “Not only is it Black American history, but it's everybody's history. It doesn't belong to one group of people. History is history. It's for all Americans at the end of the day.” 

Juneteenth’s roots go back to the final days of the Civil War, according to the website Juneteenth.com. President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, ordering that all enslaved people in the Confederate States be freed. Most slaves couldn’t read, though, and slave owners didn’t want the information to get to the people they’d enslaved. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas learned they were no longer enslaved. The date was celebrated the next year in Texas, and over the years grew into a tradition, becoming a state holiday in 1980. It was made a federal holiday in 2021  

Juneteenth marks the end of a terrible part of America’s history, but also gives people a chance to celebrate not only the end of slavery but the contributions African American people have made and continue to make to American culture, and to foster pride in the community, Bridges said. 

This is the fourth year the MLK Committee has celebrated Juneteenth in Moses Lake, Bridges said. The event will include performances by the Dreamers in Action youth organization and Today’s Generation dancers. Food will be provided by Michael’s Market and Bistro and by JR Simplot, which will bring french fries. The food is free for attendees while supplies last, Bridges said.  

This year’s Juneteenth will also include traditional Zimbabwean music by Seattle musician Sheree Seretse and the Anzanga Marimba Ensemble.  

The Moses Lake Creative District helped the committee work through the logistics of setting up the event, Richie said. The city of Moses Lake’s Mobile Recreation Unit will be at the event as well, with games and activities that are family-friendly, according to Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Director Dollie Boyd. 

Only about 3% of Moses Lake residents identify as African American, according to the latest U.S. Census figures. The point behind Juneteenth is universal, though, Richie said, and the story is one all Americans should know. 

“We're calling for unity,” she said. “We're calling everybody, from every race, every culture, to come out and enjoy this event … and have that unity that Moses Lake needs. We have gangs going on; we have drugs; we have mental health (issues); we have all these other things. Let's come together for something positive and try to spread that around.” 

Juneteenth 

Moses Lake
McCosh Park
Thursday, June 19
4-7 p.m. 

    Dreamers in Action will be among the performers at the Juneteenth celebration next Thursday at McCosh Park in Moses Lake.
  

    Young people speak about what Juneteenth means to them at a previous event.
  

    The Juneteenth event in Moses Lake isn't just about the end of slavery in the U.S., organizers said. It's about bringing the community together regardless of their racial heritage to remember the history of the nation and challenges overcome together.