John Excellent’s Juneteenth address in Mattapoisett celebrated Tri-Town Against Racism’s dedication of a Little Free Diverse Library in honor of Abraham Skidmore.
As Janice Johnson noted following her reading of a portion of the Emancipation Proclamation and General Order Number 3 that came in its wake, a historical dive into the life of Abraham Skidmore revealed him as the son of slaves who, after fighting in the Civil War, embraced his generation’s newfound freedom, calling Mattapoisett home for several decades.
Skidmore was known to many in town for his barber shop and the music bands and parades he organized and led. Johnson said it is shameful that 70 years after Skidmore’s passing, June 19, 2024, became the first occasion for Skidmore to be thusly remembered.
Tri-Town Against Racism president Alison Noyce welcomed attendees and encouraged them to take home a book from the Abraham Skidmore Little Free Diverse Library and thanked Jessica DeCicco-Carey for her work on the project. The gathering was sweetened by red-velvet cupcakes, strawberry Rhubarb pie and strawberry soda, all traditional Juneteenth treats in the color of red.
The following is John Excellent’s address:
Good afternoon, everyone.
I want to thank our previous speakers.
It is a beautiful day today and a beautiful day to commemorate this free library to Abraham (Skidmore), and like you said, may his memory long live in this town. And may streets and buildings be named after him.
I want to talk to you today about Juneteenth.
Just one year after General Gordon Granger and his regiment arrived in Galveston, Texas, one year later, black Texas celebrated together, the first … jubilee to mark the event of year prior.
However, due to segregation laws back then, they did not congregate on grounds like this, okay? They were forbidden to. So, for the next year’s celebration, they got together, purchased 4 acres of land to continue the tradition.
As of today, Juneteenth is one of six state-specific holidays that we celebrate in our great country. It’s the first federal holiday since (Martin Luther King Jr.) Day in 1986, it is a resilient holiday, and it celebrates the resilience of those African Americans … in Texas.
The history of lagging in law enforcement marks the African American experience.
As noted before, it was about two to three years after the Emancipation Proclamation that this news made it to the enslaved people of Texas. And our history is littered with controversial decisions by our Supreme Court, followed maybe by correction by the Supreme Court and then followed by decades to put together the right plan to undo these wrongs.
So we gather today to commemorate Juneteenth. It’s a pivotal moment in American history.
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, a celebration of strength, it’s a reminder that the enduring fight to end racial injustice and equality continues to this day.
The legacy of Juneteenth calls each one of us to commit to the principles of freedom, equality and justice for all.
We recognize the achievements and progress made, while also acknowledging that many challenges remain. This day is a call to action for us, to continue the work of building a society where everyone, regardless of race, can live with dignity and respect.
Juneteenth also commemorates solidarity. Let’s educate ourselves about the true history of our nation, good or bad. Let us stand against racism and prejudice and discrimination in all forms.
Let us work to ensure that the promise of freedom and equality continues to be a reality today and for future generations.
In the spirit of Juneteenth, let’s inspire each other to create a future that truly reflects the ideals of liberty and justice for all. Let us honor the past by building a more, better, inclusive and equitable future for future generations.
Tri-Town Against Racism
By Mick Colageo