(AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)
The rhythms of drums and joy of dance will soon fill the streets of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But behind the music lies a powerful message. As the final Juneteenth celebration unfolds, it caps off weeks of events organized by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.
This year’s festivities end with a community dance and the rededication of the African Burying Ground Memorial Park. Yet the event’s deeper mission stretches far beyond entertainment. It's about education, remembrance, and truth-telling.
Honouring Freedom, Confronting Contradictions
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865 — the day freedom finally reached enslaved Black people in Texas. Though celebrated for generations, the day only became a federal holiday in 2021. In New Hampshire, the Black Heritage Trail used this year's celebration to spark conversation and reflection.
At the heart of it all is Executive Director JerriAnne Boggis. She and her team curated nearly a dozen events, including history walks and community dialogues. Their aim? To bring untold Black stories into the light — especially as America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Boggis calls for a fuller, more honest telling of the nation's founding. She challenges the one-dimensional image of the founding fathers.
“They were brilliant men, but also enslavers,” she said. “Some fathered children with those they enslaved. We must ask: What would history look like through their descendants’ eyes?”
A Celebration in Uncertain Times
While many states now observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday, New Hampshire doesn’t. And with today’s political climate, Boggis isn't confident that will change anytime soon.
She’s not alone in her concern. Across the country, tensions grow over how history is taught. Former President Donald Trump, who had previously issued statements honouring Juneteenth, has now banned federal DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) programs. Educational content related to Black history has also been scrubbed from federal websites.
Despite the setbacks, communities are still coming together in celebration. Across the U.S., Juneteenth events continue to honour the legacy of Black Americans and the long fight for freedom.
Unity Through Music and Movement
For Boggis, celebration and education go hand in hand. The joyful energy of dance is not separate from the seriousness of remembrance — it enhances it.
“When we eat together, dance together, and learn together, we form deeper connections,” she said. “Truth doesn’t divide. It helps us understand the present.”
And so, as the music plays in Portsmouth, it carries more than just rhythm. It carries stories, struggles, and a shared hope for a more honest, united future.
