MANSFIELD — Juneteenth is more than a holiday for Nasir Lanier.
It’s a chance to remember the past, acknowledging both the struggles and strength of generations before him.
“I feel like people don’t truly understand how impactful slavery was to the country in itself,” he said. “History begins to repeat itself when people start forgetting and stop trying to remember.
“We should never forget our history. I feel like we move forward a little better while acknowledging it, because sweeping it under the rug does nothing.”
Lanier, who just wrapped up his junior year at Mansfield Senior High School, stood onstage during Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration and did just that.
Lanier gave a brief speech at the request of Enisia Lee, lead coordinator of the Juneteenth celebration and assistant principal at Mansfield Senior High School.
His speech gave an overview of the history of slavery in the U.S., from its beginnings in 1619 to its end in the months following the Civil War.
He ended with a call to action — not just to remember the past, but to continue shaping the future.
“Just as our ancestors came together to end one of the most awful systems in American history, let us have the courage and determination to continue breaking barriers and confronting injustice wherever it exists,” Lanier declared.
“Let us continue to fight until freedom is not subjective but guaranteed, not just for some, but for all.”
Juneteenth festival ‘like a homecoming’
Mansfield’s Juneteenth celebration combined joy and remembrance with a parade, musical performances and a festival of vendors, authors and entrepreneurs.
Brigette Coles, co-founder of We ACT and community engagement supervisor for Richland County Children’s Services, served as grand marshal.
James and Joi Davis performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn often referred to as The Black National Anthem.
The event took place at Mansfield Senior High School rather than Central Park, as in previous years, due to ongoing construction downtown.
“I was kind of worried with the change in location, but it was a different location, same vibes,” Lee said.
“Even though there’s so much other things going on in the city, people still showed up and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate.”
Juneteenth commemorates the day when the country’s last enslaved Black Americans were informed of their freedom by Union troops in Galveston, Texas.
It was June 19, 1865 — two months after Confederate Commander Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union troops in Virginia.
Communities across the country have celebrated Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, for more than a century. President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.
“When I was growing up, we did it and now that it’s back, it’s wonderful that we’re doing it, and it’s growing,” said Venita Shoulders, who sat at a booth where visitors could register to vote.
“African Americans are a very big part of history, and we need to be included in it.”
Reverend Lawrence Rawls described the event as a celebration of community.
“You hear laughter, the young people are marching up the street with their bands, and it’s just a big family gathering. It’s like a big homecoming,” he said.
