CU Boulder celebrates unity, freedom during Juneteenth holiday

Freedom and unity — that’s what we celebrate during Juneteenth, said educator and award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan.

Duncan gave an interactive, multimedia talk Monday at the University of Colorado Boulder in celebration of Juneteenth, a national and state holiday recognizing the end of slavery. Her talk included readings from her award-winning children’s books, singing with the audience and interactive self affirmations.

“Freedom hope and joy divine, Juneteenth means it’s freedom time,” Duncan said, with the audience repeating the affirmation. “Juneteenth is you, Juneteenth is me. Juneteenth means unity.”

Westminster resident Annie Contractor attended the event because she was looking for an event to celebrate on the holiday itself. She also brought her two boys, ages 6 and 8, so they could learn more about the holiday.

Contractor said it was a great opportunity to meet an author and hear what Juneteenth means to Duncan.

“I think it was reaffirming to think about Juneteenth as a holiday for people of all colors and races and I think that was a big takeaway for me,” Contractor said. “We’re a multiracial family, and so just hearing that reaffirming message is very valuable for us.”

Duncan said during her presentation that Juneteenth is a holiday for everyone to celebrate, not just Black people, because the unity between different races was the reason enslaved people were freed.

DeAndre Taylor opened the event with a similar message that the holiday is for all Americans, regardless of race.

“Juneteenth is American history, and Black history is American history,” Taylor said.

During her presentation, Duncan talked about the history of Juneteenth, which began in Texas as a way to celebrate the day when the Union Army arrived two months after the end of the Civil War on June 19, 1865 to officially proclaim freedom for enslaved people.

Duncan read an excerpt from her book “Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free,” based on a woman named Opal Lee who was an activist in making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Duncan also shared readings from more of her books with lyrical words, featuring blues music and spiritual hymns.

Since Juneteenth in a new holiday for many, Duncan shared ways to celebrate. First, she urged all parents to talk to their kids about the past so they can have pride in their identity. Although it’s not perfect, she said to celebrate the good in the present day, plan for the future and find fellowship with friends.

“Let’s celebrate the good that we have now,” Duncan said. “Let’s walk in gratitude for the good that we have now at our Juneteenth celebrations and let us plan for the future.”

CU Boulder hosted the Juneteenth celebration in partnership with the NAACP of Boulder County and the Executive Committee, African American Cultural Events of Boulder County.