Something of extreme importance took place on June 17 at the Plumb Library in Rochester: a third Little Free Diverse Library was dedicated.
It had been the hope and dream of the founders of Tri-Town Against Racism to erect these precious little bastions of inclusion and diversity in the form of the popular little libraries in each of the towns of Marion (Old Landing), Mattapoisett (Ned’s Point Lighthouse) and finally Rochester (at the steps of the library.) Now three little libraries stand for freedom of expression for all people, regardless of their color or gender identification. And what better way to christen the tiny but mighty structure than to couple it with a Juneteenth celebration.
There were guest speakers, there was entertainment and there were refreshments all appropriate to the occasion. Yet seeing a young man of color speak so assuredly and with presence on the meaning of the Juneteenth flag design was inspiring.
The dedication ceremony capped the celebration that began with 10-year-old Trevor Brown, Jr. explaining the design of the Juneteenth flag. The young man said that the solid white star represents the state of Texas, a place in which enslaved people finally received confirmation that slavery had been abolished two years after it was granted. June 19, 1865, became Juneteenth and would eventually become a U.S. holiday in June 2021.
Brown said that the starburst (described by some as a nova encircling the solid white star) stands for new beginnings and the colors of red, white and blue for the American flag with the arc representing horizons for people of color.
You could say that the Rochester event covered two moments in national and local history, not only the erection of a third Little Free Diverse Library but the organized celebration of Juneteenth. The two blended perfectly on this day.
While Alison Noyce, a founding member of TTAR, told the assembled that the group had been organized by parents concerned that their children were being racially bullied in school, she expressed joy that a few years later progress has been made in highlighting difficulties some children face in local public schools and the lack of diverse literature that young readers need. In a follow up she also noted, “There is still work to be done.”
As for Juneteenth many, including people of color, are still learning about its importance in the history of our country. Sometimes referred to as the second Independence Day, Juneteenth’s history remains a work in process.
Well documented are the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863. But that document didn’t immediately free the 3,000,000 enslaved persons across the divided nation. Only slaves in Confederate states were being deemed “freed.” It would take more time for the federal government to ratify Amendment 13. Ratification would take place on December 6, 1865. The economic and social fabric of states dependent on slave labor remained a contentious point.
Guest speaker Leon E. Correy III, Fairhaven Select Board member, told of his early struggles in finding his way to a life that would make his family proud. He is the first person of color to hold office in Fairhaven, and Correy is appreciative that the community supported his bid for a seat at the table.
Correy said he and his family has lived in other local communities, but several incidents that left his daughter feeling like an outsider caused the father to seek a more welcoming community. The Correys found that in Fairhaven, he shared.
Many of Correy’s comments spoke to the struggles he faced as a youth in Providence, the loss of his mother at an early age, and that fact that his stature (as a football player) placed him in the crosshairs of all types of thugs and bullies. He said he didn’t aspire to be the smart kid. “I wanted to be the cool kid,” he said.
One of his teachers told him he was “… wasted potential.” Correy would turn that all around as he matured, going on to a placement at Boston College in their mathematics program.
Of Juneteenth, Correy said that if parents knew about it, they told their children, but otherwise that piece of history – both black history and the country’s history – was not discussed. For him, Juneteenth is part of an overall movement. He said there are three distinct parts: 1) the fight for freedom which has taken place; 2) civil rights which has taken place but continues to expand; and 3) equity, possibly the hardest part to secure.
Correy said he didn’t want reparations, which he believed would be nearly impossible to do, but that equity, so that people of color could strive to their own given potential, is critical. To do so, “We need to stop fighting each other,” he said.
Correy went on to say, “We are coming from different places. We want what we earned by the challenges we have faced.”
And so imagine, if you will, living in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. It’s just another day of hard labor when 2,000 Union soldiers arrive carrying life-changing news – freedom! What jubilation those people must have felt. Since that time, cities and towns especially in Texas have annual celebrations, parades, community picnics and general celebratory recognition that a government “by the people, and for the people” needs to include all the people.
By Marilou Newell