Juneteenth Flag Raised in Athens to Mark Historic Emancipation
A meaningful ceremony took place outside Athens City Hall, where the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement teamed up with the Athens-Clarke County Human Relations Commission for a flag-raising event. This occasion marked the third annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, signaling the start of a broader celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.
Mokah Johnson, the leader of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, officiated the event, highlighting a significant moment from 1865. It was in that year that Union soldiers arrived in Athens-Clarke County, liberating around 5,000 enslaved individuals. Johnson remarked, “In a powerful act of celebration and hope, these emancipated slaves hoisted an American flag up the flag pole in front of Athens City Hall.”
The ceremony included a traditional libation led by Barbara Barnett to honor the elders and those who have passed, with attendees chanting “ashay” after each name. The term “ashay,” akin to “amen,” signifies collective agreement and empowerment within Black history, particularly at Juneteenth events. When used to call upon ancestors, it means “to be with us.”
Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander, a retired University of Georgia professor now serving on the Athens-Clarke County Human Relations Commission, emphasized the importance of Juneteenth as an inclusive celebration. Bennett-Alexander stated, “People sort of self-select about what they attend. So you don’t get a lot of Black folks at what we would call white events. You don’t get a lot of white folks at what we would call Black events. The truth is it’s here for everyone, and there’s something for everyone to learn, and if you don’t know about it, that’s ok…”
She further encouraged attendance, adding, “But the thought that you’re willing to find out… ‘Alright, this isn’t a good thing to do- owning human beings.’ That’s worth celebrating. And I don’t know a lot of people, especially in a place like Athens, who wouldn’t want to celebrate it. So what I’m doing is I’m giving you permission to bring your white self out here and enjoy it just like everybody else does.”
The ceremony saw the attendance of local leaders, including Mayor Kelly Girtz and commissioners Carol Meyers and Dexter Fisher. A Juneteenth flag, bearing the date of independence, was raised by the youth participants and will remain aloft until July 4th.
