We know of a high school history teacher who once left her lesson on the Trail of Tears to a substitute. Luckily, the sub was excellent and the class left shell-shocked, outraged, and educated. But it was still shameful, on par with the fact that a lot of students don't learn about Juneteenth in school, at all, ever. In case you were once one of those students, Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger sailed to Galveston, Texas, to let the slaves there know Lincoln had freed them two years earlier. The slave "owners" had known, of course, but somehow hadn't mentioned it to the labor force. Those concerned were very angry and very happy to hear the news; thus, we traditionally contemplate education vs. white supremacy around the barbecue pit today. Tonight, Valerie Troutt and the Fear of a Fat Planet Crew celebrate Juneteenth in music, with original jazz and soul songs and some older roots and gospel fronted by the big, beautiful voice of Ms. Troutt, as well as poetry by Joyce Lee.
Sat., June 20, 9 p.m., 2009
