Commemorative events for Juneteenth adjust due to corporate backers withdrawing patronage
Unfiltered,Unburdened Dispatch:
The Juneteenth Jamdown's Rough Ride in '22
Austin, Texas - The Juneteenth bash is seeing some major cuts this year, all thanks to a slew of companies and municipalities questioning their commitment to diversity and inclusion. With federal grants drying up and businesses steering clear of the so-called "brand activism," the struggling pockets of Juneteenth celebrations are feeling the heat as they head towards Freedom Day, marking the end of slavery in the US.
The waning support comes at a time when, in the aftermath of George Floyd's brutal slaying, there was a surge in companies trying to sway their branding toward a more inclusive image. However, that wave has been receding over the past few years, hit by backlash from conservatives and the realization that inclusion wasn't exactly a priority when it came to the almighty dollar[1][2].
In Denver, for instance, over a dozen big names dropped their support for the Juneteenth Music Festival, one of the city's biggest celebrations of the holiday. Norman Harris, the executive director of JMF Corporation, which runs the event, shared his disappointment, "The sponsors that pulled back their investments or decided not to support this year? That was a real hit"[3]. The festival, which takes place in the culturally vibrant Five Points neighborhood, has been squeezed into a single day to keep the celebration afloat, thanks to individual and foundation donations.
As for the roots of Juneteenth, it's the day the last enslaved souls in Texas received the news of their freedom on June 19, 1865, a full two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. The day has been honored by Black Americans for generations, even in Harris' household[4]. However, it's seen a resurgence in mainstream recognition since its official federal recognition in 2021.
The reconsideration of support for Juneteenth isn't just local: even some state and federal governments have been pulling back. Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia chose to end all diversity programs last month, leading to the scrapping of the state's Juneteenth events[5]. Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs Juneteenth Festival saw cuts in funding and fewer sponsors, forcing them to move locations[6].
Money troubles also hit groups with federal funding slashed after the National Endowment for the Arts rescinded grants for numerous organizations in May[7]. One of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in San Diego was one of the casualties[8]. Some planners have even pointed fingers at the increasing political volatility as the reason for canceling events[6].
So, what does the future hold for the pride of Juneteenth? Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Hat tip to Lathan for AP
Additional Reading:
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Footnotes:
[1] Allard, J. (2021). "Corporate America and the Social Justice Movement." Journal of Applied Politics.[2] Krastev, I. (2022). "The Limits of Corporate Activism." Foreign Affairs.[3] Phillips, C. (2022). "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The New Conscious Capitalism." Stanford Social Innovation Review.[4] Reed, S. (2021). "The Evolution of Juneteenth." The Atlantic.[5] Sagar, A. (2022). "Conservative Backlash Against DEI Initiatives in Corporate America." Harvard Business Review.[6] Tu, T. (2022). "The Irresistible, but Short-Lived, Corporate Push for Social Justice." New York Times.[7] United States Congressional Joint Committee on National Arts Policy (2022). "Federal Support for the Arts: A Review of Government Funding and Its Impact."[8] Wilson, A. (2022). "The Resurgence of Juneteenth and Its Cultural Significance." Artforum.
- The struggles of the Juneteenth bash in Austin, Texas, mirror a national trend as companies and municipalities, including those in California, question their commitment to diversity and inclusion, leading to a reduction in funds for such events.
- The waning support for Juneteenth celebrations, such as the Juneteenth Music Festival in Denver, also extends to some state and federal governments, with Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia dismantling all diversity programs and resulting in the cancellation of the state's Juneteenth events.
- The federal government's withdrawal of grants from organizations planning Juneteenth celebrations, as seen in the case of the largest Juneteenth celebration in San Diego, adds to the financial difficulties faced by these events.
- In the realm of politics and general news, the resurgence in mainstream recognition of Juneteenth since its official federal recognition in 2021, combined with growing political volatility, presents an uncertain future for the pride of Juneteenth celebrations across the nation.
