UAFS Students Making Juneteenth Plans

Written By: Ian Silvester

The Declaration of Independence reads, “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” When University of Arkansas – Fort Smith senior Kendrix Holcomb hears these words, he thinks of how it relates to June 19 – Juneteenth.
 
The holiday became a federal holiday in 2021 but has a history dating back more than 150 years. On the morning of June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed the freedom of enslaved people in Texas, three years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
 
Kendrix says he uses the holiday to preserve the history and culture of the Black men and women who came before him.
 
“It was a movement for us getting to that point where we can actually start living in the truth of what this country is supposed to stand for,” he said. It has become a day about “the growth and development of the Black community and the establishment of us becoming and getting past all those hardships.”
 
Despite the holiday falling during the summer months, Kendrix uses the significance of the day and what it means to him personally as motivation for what he’s involved with at UAFS during the school year. Along with other students, Kendrix works on what he calls “Black initiatives,” like re-establishing the Black Student Association and starting an association around the dance form stepping. “Both have deep roots in African history and what it means to be African Americans and Africans in general.”
 
Local events have been organized around the Fort Smith area to celebrate Juneteenth. Kendrix plans to attend events and encourages others to do as well.
 
“Getting awareness out there is important because a lot of people like to sweep stuff under the rug; don’t like to acknowledge our history and want the truth,” he said. “The truth must be acknowledged. History must be looked at so it may not be repeated.”

Local events include:

• Juneteenth March, “Walk It Out” – Saturday, June 17, 9-11 a.m. at the Kelley Highway Walmart, 2100 N 62nd St., Fort Smith. The free event will include a kids’ corner, music, and refreshments. Donations will go to the NAACP Freedom Fund.
• Harlem Nights at The Cotton Club Gala – Saturday, June 17, 6:35-11:40 p.m. at the Wyndham Fort Smith City Center, 700 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith. The ticketed event is the third to be hosted by the Office of Mayor George B. McGill. Proceeds will benefit The Fort Kids Children’s Museum. For more information and tickets, click here.
• Larry B Soul Experience Band – Saturday, June 17, 7-9 p.m. at the King Opera House, 427 Main St., Van Buren. To enjoy a night of soulful music, click here for tickets.
• Juneteenth Open Mic, Music, Poetry, Hip Hop, Jazz – Monday, June 19, 7-10 p.m. This is a virtual event to support Black artists and businesses. Click here for more information.

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• UAFS Students
• Juneteenth
• Events
• Civic Engagement