If you are at all skeptical whether “Juneteenth” is an actual word, you’re not alone. In a recent survey of varied ethnicities and mostly college educated, a whopping 60 percent declared that Juneteenth is not a word, believing it’s a fabricated word and that they’d never heard this word in their entire lives. But our newly crowned hometown hero, T. Wayne Bailey, Ph.D., would tell you that indeed, Juneteenth is the name of a largely unknown celebration.

Juneteenth.com cites that June nineteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on Jan. 1, 1863, Texas remained willingly defiant of that law. Whether the tales of the Emancipation Proclamation messenger’s murder, or the rebellious act of maintaining black labor forces or the secrecy enslaving those to “just reap one more cotton harvest” are true or not, two facts remain: General Lee’s overthrow and General Granger’s arrival in Texas in April 1865. First order of business? To enforce the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865. Previously non-existent enculturation of black people in the U.S. ensued with this immediate dispersion, causing new challenges for both whites and blacks.

June 19, 1865, was commemorated every year among the emancipated with community-building activities such as rodeos, fishing, barbeques, baseball, prayer and worship. The Great Depression caused employers to halt time-off privileges for blacks and Juneteenth celebrations had largely waned. When asked why he thought this notable celebration is widely unheard of between both black and white cultures, Bailey simply put it, “Because we tend to not want to focus on the history of slavery.”

Bailey recounted, “At Stetson, the nationwide racial demonstrations of 1966-67, which we had going on right outside our doors, occurred during President Edmunds’ time at Stetson. I remember Neal Hunter, my student and the first black student to graduate from Stetson. Neal’s attendance caused a financial threat to the university. Such pressure gave pause for me to commit more deeply to the university.” Incidentally, this was a time which ignited a resurgence of Juneteenth celebrations nationwide.

Bailey–who has celebrated his semi-centennial as a professor at Stetson–founded Stetson’s Model U.S. Senate, taught nearly every political science class offered, holds various leadership positions in the Florida Democratic Party, is a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, has done intentional work with local counties’ and cities’ charters and government reform, is an active 40-year member of The American Lung Association, and is actively supportive of the NAACP’s West Volusia Chapter.

Now, Bailey will add “Hometown Hero,” dubbed by the Juneteenth Committee, to his resume, for his devotion to servant leadership which he says is “working with individuals on a case by case basis and working retail, not wholesale.” He added that, “random acts of kindness are not and cannot be measured by their effects.” Bailey goes on to say, “This recognition has caught me off-guard (in the humblest of senses) because it is honoring me as an individual for my life-long beliefs, those which are the same core values that are at the heart of Stetson’s commitment to diversity and culture.”

Reflective of the early Juneteenth celebrations, the recent ceremony bestowing on Bailey the title “Hometown Hero,” began with a prayer. These days the opening prayers are multi-cultural: Islam, Jewish, Catholic and Protestant, with many business groups as sponsors.

Held at the International Speedway’s Daytona 500 Clubhouse, the Daytona Beach Police Force served as wait-staff to 400 guests, a majority of whom were African American. Bailey revealed, “Juneteenth brings to mind elements of diversity that we need to celebrate, not fear. Diversity is never threatening.”

“We are writing cultural history right now and lately it’s been mostly negative. But change can happen in the hearts of people. June 19^th celebrations are how change materializes.” In time, Bailey hopes to spark a Juneteenth celebration right here at Stetson.

Congratulations, to Professor T. Wayne Bailey, our hometown hero.

by Caroline Skinner