Politics and Current
The biggest and darkest moments of the June 11 celebration at the White House
Black culture was alive and in full force at the White House on Monday when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a Juneteenth concert to commemorate the upcoming federal holiday that honors the end of slavery in the U.S. and the granting of freedom to previously enslaved Black Americans.
Thousands of invited guests – just about all Black – got here to the White House South Lawn for a virtually two-hour musical concert that featured latest and seasoned Black artists in genres starting from soul, blues, gospel, jazz and hip-hop. Performers included Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn, rising country artist Brittney Spencer and singer-actress and “Raising Kanan” star Patina Miller. The show was hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr.
“The White House lawn has never seen anything like this,” President Biden said as he delivered remarks at the end of Monday’s festivities. The president, who signed the June 2021 National Independence Day Act into law in 2021, said he was “proud to recognize June 11 as a federal holiday” and made it clear: “It was not just a symbolic gesture.”
“It was … a testament to the resilience of generations of Black Americans who gazed at the North Star,” Biden said, adding: (*11*)
Celebrating Juneteenth and the resilience of Black America, there have been several standout moments during the White House concert. Here are the 4 primary moments:
Harris dancing with Kirk Franklin in Sergio Hudson pants
Performing his hit song “I Smile,” Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin captured one of the most memorable moments of the White House event when he grabbed Vice President Harris from the audience to dance with him on stage. This moment was quite convincing for the vp, but it surely quickly went viral.
Harris, who in line with the Office of the Vice President was wearing pink pants made by Black South Carolina designer Sergio Hudson, happily danced with Franklin, who spun Harris around and took two steps together with her to the delight of the audience. After just a few seconds of a brief dance break, Franklin kissed the vp’s hand and then escorted her off the stage.
Biden and Harris on protecting Black freedom
In their transient remarks at the Second Annual White House June 1990 Concert, President Biden and Vice President Harris called on America to make use of this commemoration to reflect on the freedoms won. They also made clear that these freedoms have to be protected through political and legislative actions by Republican lawmakers and conservative leaders.
In her remarks, Harris called for a “full-scale attack on hard-fought, hard-fought freedoms,” including voting rights, a girl’s right to abortion care – which disproportionately affects Black and brown women – and “the freedom to learn and acknowledge the true and full history of our nation.”
“In many ways, the story of Juneteenth and our nation is the story of our ongoing fight to realize that promise, our ongoing fight to build a nation that is more equal, more just and more free,” Harris said. She continued: “A nation where everyone has a chance not only to survive, but to advance. Since taking office, with the support of so many leaders here, President Biden and I have continued this fight.”
“Black history is American history,” said President Biden, who vowed that he and Harris “will always uplift and protect it.”
“Designating June 11 as a federal holiday represents not just a symbolic gesture, but a tangible commitment to progress. Through its actions, whether through federal appointments or strategic investments, this administration is actively working to elevate Black America,” said Jones, who also served as chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. “Yesterday’s gathering of leaders from across the country was not only an entertaining event, but a powerful reminder that while we have made progress, there is still much work to be done to achieve the equality and justice we strive for.”
Roy Wood Jr. pays tribute to the black pioneers who made Juneteenth possible
Throughout the show, produced by black entrepreneur John Burns, Wood Jr., the concert host, told the story of Juneteenth and the way it became a federal holiday. It began as a state holiday in Texas before being recognized in 45 states. Wood admitted that two figures were liable for nationalizing the holiday: Opal Lee and the late Texas state representative Al Edwards.
Lee, 97, is often known as “Grandma Juneteenth” and was recently honored by President Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Lee organized the famous 2.5-mile walk to commemorate the two and a half years it took enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, to learn that that they had been emancipated by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Doug E. Fresh dances with Maxine Waters
Vice President Harris wasn’t the only elected official invited to bop with the artist on Monday night. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., affectionately often known as “Aunt Maxine” in the Black community, has endeared herself to Doug E. Fresh, who escaped stage to bop with the longtime congresswoman, whom he described as the only woman he desired to cut the rug with.
The Harlem rapper entertained the crowd with a rendition of “Shine A Light on Em” and asked hundreds of attendees to shine their cell phones, illuminating the White House lawn. It was definitely an unforgettable sight. Of course, Doug E. Fresh was one of many memorable performers, including LaBelle, who kicked off her shoes during the performance (a signature move), and Miller, who received much applause for her jazzy rendition of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child.”