Juneteenth Day Proclamation: ‘Work Remains To Be Done’
Mo Harper-Desir of Black Humboldt
The “strength, creativity and leadership of black communities in Humboldt County and beyond” has been noted by the Board of Supervisors in a proclamation commemorating Juneteenth. Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federally-recognized holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America.
Supervisors honored it with a proclamation at their June 16 meeting.
The proclamation nods to policymaking, saying Juneteenth “serves as a reminder that work remains to be done to ensure equitable access to opportunity for black residents, including the pursuit of strategies that improve access to education, economic development, housing and land-based initiatives.”
Also noted is the multi-day Juneteenth Cultural Festival from June 18 to June 21, with the Juneteenth Day Festival held June 20 at Halverson Park in Eureka. The festival is hosted by the local NAACP branch and Black Humboldt.
Mo Harper-Desir of Black Humboldt described Juneteenth as “an ongoing reminder that freedom has never simply been handed down – It has been dreamed of, it has been organized for, fought for, protected and celebrated.” Juneteenth “asks us to remember the truth of our history and we’re also asking what kind of future we are brave enough to build,” she continued.
“We exist because black and brown communities on the North Coast deserve more than survival,” said Harper-Desir. “We deserve spaces where our joy is not an afterthought, where our culture is not treated as a special occasion, where leadership is trusted and sought after, and our children can see themselves reflected.”
Harper-Desir said the theme of this year’s Juneteenth Day Festival is “honoring the past to see the future” which “reminds us that remembrance is not passive.”
The festival is “only one small part of the ecosystem that we are continuously building,” she continued. “Culturally-affirming space is not a luxury, it’s a form of safety, it’s a form of health, it’s a form of self-determination.”
Black Humboldt’s work includes youth leadership programs, arts and culture support, business development and wellness programs.
Harper-Desir said Black Humboldt is “also dreaming really big with a vision of an innovation hub” where a variety of programs and initiatives will be headquartered.
Board Chair Mike Wilson expressed appreciation for “all the sacrifice and the work that people have put in to promote liberation and freedom for not just one group of people, but for everybody.” He added, “Because we all are connected, we all need to work together on this.”
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021. The proclamation details the historical event it’s based on, saying, “On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, informing the last enslaved African-Americans of their freedom more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the proclamation.”
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I wonder what Trump has planned to celebrate the holiday.
The Biden administration previously hosted large-scale, star-studded concerts and public events on the South Lawn to honor the holiday and Black music month.
Oh wait, the South Lawn is still being repaired after the MMA fights held there.
Juneteenth was removed from the list of fee-free days at all National Parks by the Trump administration.
It’s a Texas holiday that became a virtue signal during Biden. The Fourth of July is an inclusive holiday representing freedom for ALL.
I came of age when Ms. Mo was in diapers, she doesn’t remember that we were about 90% healed as a nation … Until the Bearers of False Virtue decided to drag up back to the 1950s so they could make money off of a new victim class.
In NorCal in the 90s, we were colorblind just like King dreamed of … Now, those of poor character are balkanizing our nation. Sad.
There’s a lot to unpack there…The Fourth of July celebrates the nation’s founding and its ideals. Juneteenth celebrates the day freedom finally reached the last large population of enslaved Americans under Confederate control. Those holidays commemorate different milestones in American history, and recognizing one does not diminish the other. To me, it’s worth remembering that many Black Americans were still enslaved for nearly 90 years after the Declaration of Independence proclaimed that “all men are created equal.” Juneteenth marks the closing of that gap between America’s founding ideals and the freedom of millions of people who had been denied them.
And then the 90’s…I lived through them, too. You seemed to have missed a few experiences I lived through. Do you remember the beating Rodney King? Abner Louima? The crack vs. powder cocaine sentencing disparity? The studies done showing that job applicants with stereotypical black names got brought in for interviews far less often than identical resumes with white names?
“90% healed” the cycle repeats itself. The next line is, “We’ve given you that. Now what else do you want!?”
I was NEVER racist
Until that sneaky Barack Husseini Osama tried to fake his citizenship to undermine America with a popular presidency prior to us finding our Forever Leader.
I watched and enjoyed Benson.
Now would a racist say that? THAT is why we must abolish this divisive “day”!
George Jefferson was right! Honkies trying to buy off their guilt with one little day and some weak-ass declarations
Watch what you eat Rhoyd.
Thanks for doing the unpacking… let us not forget… racism is alive and well because it never died in the hearts of many. Our current hate- filled nation could not exist without that terrible legacy
I was around also. I distinctly remember the crack vs cocaine sentencing disparities. As I was working w/ FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) because some good friends from Dead tour were getting insanely long sentences for LSD and I realized much of FAMM’s work was about those racial cocaine/crack sentences. I remember that it was Biden as the majority leader of the Senate who pushed those very harsh punishments that led to those guideline disparities. Yes- the beloved Joe Biden. Oh but he apologized later- he said some words because he wanted your votes…another uncomfortable fact people prefer to ignore
Joe Biden sucked. No one is ignoring that. But that’s not a very good reason to go full MAGA.
It’s too bad that everything from the Civil War has been co-oped into current race agendas. Most people have so little knowledge about what a horrible tragedy slavery and the attempts to end it were to the whole country. Not just the horrors of slavery but that asserting such bottomless control creates misery and unending violence. The country was in turmoil for decades before the war actually broke out. The social instability where ever slave holders met abolitionist at their edges was bitter long before the Civil War and continued long after it ended..
A hundred thousand Union soldiers died in battle and two hundred thousand more died of disease. Almost none of whom had any slaves or had even seen a slave until they went to war, much less owned one. Whole small Northern towns lost every male under 40 years old and people lost their livelihoods, families and future anywhere where the war ran over their homes. The displaced af different races created the western US as it is now and the unresolved race issues led to the blocks of demographics in various areas from Nebraska to Michigan. It was still going on in the 1960s. It was never all about one race. And shouldn’t be. It should be about all Americans and their personal stakes dealing with what divides us.
Truth.
Agreed. Fourth of July celebrates the nation’s ideals – yes, #1 (in myriad ways) being FREEDOM.
Great, there are many local holidays that do not need to be celebrated nationally because they are redundant. Important to that particular locale, excellent, but no need to make it a global concern. When is the holiday to commemorate Wounded Knee?
There is a lot to unpack in the final sentence about resumes, and it gets into the criminal justice system and those disparities, too. We can, but you have lots to do and I truly appreciate you for it! ❤️🤍💙
Every age has its own Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It can be argued that Kirk represents a *similar* story, today: a man taken just for looking to have a dialogue about our differences. I saw my technicolored high school as the pinnacle of what King preached and what we learned as children in the 70/80s – we didn’t see color. Down in the community, not the national stage, we didn’t care. We called each other silly names at school and partied together on the weekends. I know it must have been the same elsewhere. Now? There’s no nuance and the negative news cycle is pulling is down. And then there’s people that keep beating tired drums for their own grift, shame. Here’s to a day when we can start to heal again like the good Doctor dreamed of … 🌻
Obama did coke…
That’s a bit of revisionist history — when the Declaration of Independence was signed neither the original peoples of the land nor the imported slaves were considered “people” and were by no means free. It took a lot of fighting and bloodshed to get to where we are today and like all things, there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
I grew up in the deep South and by far, the most intense racism I ever saw directly was up here in Humboldt county in 80s. It did not magically disappear by the 90s.
And yet another person had an experience unlike either of ours.
Broad brush strokes are not good, all around.
Newsom just offered State Park pass in honor of Juneteenth and the nation’s 250th: https://kymkemp.com/2026/06/19/governor-newsom-announces-special-free-pass-to-californias-state-historic-parks-in-honor-of-juneteenth-and-americas-250th-anniversary/
I think that applies to State Parks not National Parks.
Absolutely right! Brain dead. Fixed now.
Almost fixed…
It only applies to the 30 California State Historic Parks, it does not apply to all California State Parks…
It only applies to California State Historic Parks…
Big Difference…
Let’s not kid ourselves…
But what about the CA gas taxes? Can’t afford to drive there!
Caveat Emptor…
“Are all state parks covered by the California State Historic Park pass?
“No, the California State Historic Park pass (officially called the Historian Passport) does not cover all state parks.
It only provides admission to over 30 participating State Historic Parks and museums that generally charge per-person or vehicle day-use fees.
The California State Park System manages over 280 park units.
Because the Historian Passport is specifically tailored for historical and cultural sites, it excludes hundreds of other parks, such as coastal beaches, redwood forests, state vehicular recreation areas, and parks operated by private concessionaires (like Hearst Castle or Angel Island).
Key details of the Historian Passport:
What it covers:
Unlimited entry for up to four people at more than 30 sites statewide, such as Sutter’s Fort, Bodie, Fort Ross, and Jack London State Historic Parks.
Who it covers:
Admission for up to four people per pass.
Validity:
Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase.
(Note: California previously offered a free special-edition version for Juneteenth/America’s 250th anniversary, but the standard pass is a $50 annual purchase).
To view the complete list of locations and to purchase the pass, you can visit the California State Parks Passes directory.
“Are all CA state parks free on Juneteenth?”
“No, not all state parks are free, but California is offering free entry to more than 30 state historic parks to celebrate Juneteenth.”
“Did newsom bait before the 2020 election and switch after his election on reparations?”
“Governor Gavin Newsom did not explicitly promise specific cash payments prior to the 2020 election, but critics argue he baited voters by creating a high-profile reparations task force and later switched to a more restrictive stance post-election by declining to endorse direct payouts and vetoing several key restitution proposals.
Timeline of Events
2020 Election Lead-Up:
In September 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and nationwide protests, Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3121, making California the first state in the nation to establish a task force to study and develop reparations proposals.
Post-Election Task Force Recommendations:
In 2023, the appointed task force released a massive report outlining multiple recommendations, including substantial direct cash payments to eligible descendants.
Newsom’s Pivot:
Newsom subsequently declined to endorse the large cash payouts, stating that dealing with the legacy of slavery is “about much more than cash payments”. He later vetoed or significantly altered multiple legislative efforts aimed at direct redress.
Newsom’s Legislative Actions
Vetoed Bills:
He vetoed bills that would have provided home-buying assistance, given admissions preferences for descendants in state universities, and compensated victims of racially-motivated eminent domain.
He cited that the state lacked the agency to properly administer these programs and that some of them posed legal risks.
Approved Measures:
Newsom did sign a formal, bipartisan apology for the state’s historical role in slavery.
Additionally, he approved legislation to formally establish a new reparations agency within the state’s Civil Rights Department to handle genealogy tracking and further policy implementation, though this fell short of the financial restitution many advocates had called for.”
___________________________________
Sucker Alert…!!!
MMA fight on Whitehouse grounds is nothing compared to Biden having a pride party where topless transgenders were on Whitehouse grounds.Talk about disrespectful to familys with kids.
She was banned for that.
https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/white-house-bans-trans-activist-topless-photo-pride-event-rcna89116
If you want to ridicule Biden, you’ve got plenty to choose from.
But that feeble attempt was pathetic.
Oh!
Will you steelman for treeman53?
That would be awesome!
The Children cry out for topless Mangenders on the Whitehouse grounds! You can’t have Gladiator Sport without having Glad. Because that’s the way you feel!
Happy Birthday week, (pause)
Mr. President
Present days please. Biden this and Biden that. Change the channel.
I suspect this summer’s unasked-for invitation to national soul-searching may surprise us yet.
Here’s a 150 year July 4th parade image: Manhattan, 1926.
1926 was only 100 years ago. Pretty sure the guy on the right is Fred Trump.
Well, considering Trump was a Democrat, that could be … Party of the KKk To This Day. Only now they want to keep you on their socialist plantation.
Really..
Graham Platner
Wait til you see a 250 year 4th of July image from 2026 starting about 16 days…
That should really loop ya…!!!
Nah, Biden and Robert Byrd.
When they move the us Capitol to manhattan?
You are correct. Washington DC.
Just for the 1 day. It was an amazing feat! Took many helicopters…
“I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ringbolt to the chain of your nation’s destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost.” -Fredrick Douglass
“Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.” -Malcolm X
💙 🤍 ❤️
More whining. Equality means opportunity, not jiggering the system to make for equal outcomes. Some inner reflection might be in order, look at your own community and recognize the problems caused within it’s own members. There, I said it, let the shrieking begin…
Everybody is a social warrior and morally righteous in the general abstract. But yes- look at your own community and your everyday neighborhoods. That’s where it really counts and that’s where you have an effect. Lily white Humboldt always so vociferously caring about the stuff way out there while people be sleeping in bushes, priced out of shelter and decency…
I was once told by a black lady in Eureka, “Humboldt is the most diverse group of white people.” And it’s TRUE!
But yes, I believe in American neighborhoods off the beaten track most people have little issue with their neighbors at large.
I haven’t interacted with Black Humboldt much but I have one friend who is fairly involved with them.
From everything I’ve seen, they primarily work to create opportunities and to build more community connections within their community, locally.
So I guess they are doing what you say they should do.
*That* is a wonderful endeavor.
Continuing to beat tired drums is not.
What are you talking about?
*That* is the project that this article is about.
It kinda seems like you are just triggered by the mention of black people and a holiday celebrating the end of slavery
This is part of what I was referring to when I asked Kym if she wanted to talk about her resume sentence.
No surprise that Ronda Illis, who openly advocates for eugenics, considers Juneteenth “whining.”
Racism is alive and well in the USA.
Thanks to the NAACP and black Humboldt !! Joy remains a protest, and they will never take it from us.
Also f*ck ice and the current administration as a staff, record label, and a concept.
✌️ 🫶 🪮 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
I love Tulsi Gabbard – what a wild week at the ODNI!
Trump? Eh, better than Harris.
Don’t worry though, Vance didn’t just do a press tour – that included The View – for a book … that’s a red herring. Trump will be gone with in a year,maybe sooner.
I don’t like Vance’s connection to Thiel/Palantir/etal …
1 I have no problem celebrating the end of slavery in the US. June 19th may not be the best day but hey what ever.
2. Black people were NOT the only slaves in the US we should not forget that. There were actually some black slave owners.
3. Black people have the same opportunity to jobs and education and everyone else. Unfortunately the black community has been fed this lie and many young black people have not even tried. After all why try if white man not going to let you succeed. Anyone ever heard of Barak Obama? If the US is so racist how did he get elected? How about IIllian Omar? She is a black female emigrant muslim from Africa that is an elected member of congress. If the US was half as racist as many claim how did she make it so far?
People lack of sound logic actions me. This victim mentality needs to stop.
Remember though, that when Obama was elected president there were still many racially disparaging comments about him– such as the meme of watermelons being grown on the White House lawn. Many people also questioned his citizenship and Christianity.
And, while today African American representation in Congress does roughly mirror that of the US as a whole, it remains disproportionate for other ethnic minorities. The diversity is also not equally distributed between the parties. 85% of minority representatives in the House of Representatives are Democrats while 15% are Republicans. In the Senate, Three-quarters of the senators who are racial or ethnic minorities (12 of 16) are Democrats. Only four are Republicans. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/21/119th-congress-brings-new-growth-in-racial-ethnic-diversity-to-capitol-hill/
I do agree with you that celebrating June 19th as the day the last slaves were freed misrepresents history. Three states, Delaware, Kentucky, and New Jersey allowed slavery up until the passing of the 13th Amendment on December 18, 1856.
The Chickasaw and Choctaw were the last entities in the United States to officially abolish slavery, doing so on April 28,1866.
You are forgetting Missuri and Maryland were slave states that the emancipation did not apply to.
What is the differance between the racist remarks against Obama a black man and racist remarks against whites members of congress make? Answer nothing racism is racism and it not against one race nor is any race immune from it, however that is a separate issue than the one here ie black people are NOT held back as she states in the article and the modern victim mentality has held more people back than and white supremest group. I will even go as far as saying many weel meaning leftist are a big part of the problem thinking black people are to stupid to compete in the world without special rules to give them an advantage.
Maryland abolished slavery in November 1864, and Missouri abolished it in January 1865.
I honestly have no idea what racist remark against White members of congress you’re referring to, so I have no response to that.
You may also want to put a bit more thought into your claim that Black people are not held back.
Not only did more than a century of overtly racist laws and policies after the end of slavery cause significant disadvantages for the African American community, but even today:
Black homeowners not only have primary mortgages with higher interest rates than white homeowners with similar incomes, they also have higher interest rates than white homeowners with substantially lower incomes. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/high-income-black-homeowners-receive-higher-interest-rates-low-income-white-homeowners
Black drivers were about 20 percent more likely to be stopped than white drivers relative to their share of the residential population… once stopped, black drivers were searched about 1.5 to 2 times as often as white drivers. https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2020/may/black-drivers-more-likely-to-be-stopped-by-police.html
Black males received sentences 13.4 percent longer, and Hispanic males received sentences 11.2 percent longer, than White males. https://www.ussc.gov/research/research-reports/2023-demographic-differences-federal-sentencing
Interest rates are direct tied to your credit score, income just verifies it can be paid. There would have already been a class action suit if what you allude to is the true reason.
Now, why those facts may be is up to you to conclude. No, that’s not fair nor does it make it true. Why it may be is due to each individual’s choices.
Criminal stats are directly tied to criminal activity. Why that may be … ibid
Being black is NOT a handicap nor should it be treated as such.
🎯
Black Republicans are viciously attacked for it! Marketing works, elections are just a poll of who had the best marketing. Winsome Sears would have been a far better choice for Virginia, but TPTB cannot abide a true American Dream if it doesn’t fit the narrative. Shame.
Watermelons growing on the lawn? That’s all you got?
I raise you Kathy Griffin with a severed head of the current President. Shame.
That’s 2 people. Anyone else?
Barack Obama’s mother comes from a wealthy white family with intelligence connections, his father is from a wealthy Kenyan family, and his step father (with whom he spent most of his childhood) was one of the wealthiest men in asia and a business associate of the Bush family.
Barack was raised among the elite in Hawaii and Indonesia. His experience bears little resemblance to that of the average black person born and raised in America, from his heritage to his upbringing.
Similarly, Ilhan Omar is an immigrant representing a district with a large immigrant community of which she is a part. Her upbringing and life experience are atypical for black americans.
The fact that the two most prominent black figures you first thought of come out of backgrounds that are wildly atypical for black americans should tell you something about the point you’re trying to make
🎯
Let is not forget one of history’s prominent African Americans: Anthony Johnson.
Congratulations on Juneteenth, sincerely. Slavery was not right. Many of my ancestors were abolitionists, as were many people in the slavery days. My ancestor came to America as a conscript. Not quite as bad as a slave, because conscripts were freed after they paid-off their debt.
Now that we are honoring minorities, I am patiently waiting my turn in line. Being in the last unprotected minority… Old White Guy.
People can say anything that they want about an old white guy, and they do. Most just grin, bear-it and shuffle on. No apologies no, holidays, no celebrations. It is painful to be so picked on.
The entire Black population (about 47 million people) easily outnumbers the older white male demographic. White men aged 65 and older make up roughly 12 million individuals, making the total Black population nearly four times larger.
Where is my Holiday? I would volunteer to be the poster child…
lol. I support that holiday! I qualify too.
I grew up Quaker in Providence and Philia where both my elementary and high schools had tunnels from the Underground Railroad on campus. In Philadelphia there were oyster shells that travelers had left- they survived the years. Of course we kids would go down there. And. Broke. The. Rules.
I think the institutional inequities- where laws and norms kept blacks systematically blocked from building, keeping, and passing down wealth across generations through segregation, discriminatory housing and lending, exclusion from public benefits, and ongoing discrimination is a part of our legacy as a nation. The move to eliminate DEI in this country serves to rewrite that history and is both unfortunate and damaging IMHO. The average Joe would not be against diversity or inclusion or equity, but put those letters together and it’s become a rallying cry. Sad.
Your holiday, Ernie, is everyday that you are not being judged by your skin color when you walk down the street…if you’re not too old for that.
There is a group of cranky old white men you can join. MAGA
Biden’s a member?
👏
What’s funny is it’s the boomers that carry the guilt. As a child my walls were floor to ceiling black people when I was a kid. Rappers, athletes, anyone I thought was cool. Truly never saw color. The sad thing is the more these racist white boomers try to tell me I’m racist, the more I kinda wannabe
Yes, everyone and anybody – all were commemorated all over the country. And then we voted in Obama in 2008 and we all rejoiced. Until NDAA, shame.
If you didn’t vote for Joe Biden, it’s not your day to celebrate…
Read Toni Morrison’s novel “Beloved” if you want to get an understanding of what it was like to be enslaved.
Read Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken if you want to understand the liberating power of letting go of hate and a victim-mentality.
It’s a WWII survival story that shows how harboring rage keeps you imprisoned long after your tormentors are gone – and how radical forgiveness is the ultimate act of self-liberation.