PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County residents this weekend gathered to recognize the nation's shameful past, celebrate the accomplishments of present-day artists and scholars and commit to the struggle to build a better future.

 

Juneteenth festivals were held in North Adams on Saturday and Pittsfield on Sunday, giving attendees an opportunity to think about the continuing legacy of slavery in America while marking June 19, 1865, when enslavement officially came to an end for Black residents of Texas, the last state to see emancipation take place.

 

North Adams' inaugural Juneteenth event, "I Am Afro: A Street Fair for All the People," was organized by the Berkshire Black Economic Council and the First Congregational Church. 

 

The daylong street fair closed down Monument Square, a portion of Main Street between the First Congregational Church and First Baptist Church, creating a family-friendly venue for live music, speeches, discussions, vendors, and games for children.

 

The mostly light-hearted mood turned serious mid-festival when NAACP Berkshire County Branch President Dennis Powell took the stage.

 

After telling the story of Juneteenth and reading from General Order No. 3, Powell reminded those in attendance that nearly 160 years after emancipation, the promise of liberty and full participation in society for Black Americans remains elusive.

 

"The one right that we have that they are still trying to take from us is the right to vote," Powell said. "People have died, especially people of color, for that right. That's why every human being, when they reach that age, must exercise that right.

 

"Do not think your right to vote does not count. Every single vote counts. People have lost or won by one lousy vote. Let's take charge. Let's take command. Let's be, 'We the people.' And let's start locally."

 

Pittsfield celebrated Juneteenth on Sunday with a freedom walk from Persip Park and a community gathering at Durant Park.

 

The gathering was kicked off with a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by Lorie Alcin.

 

Upon hearing of the proclamation in the 1860s, some newly freed Americans were killed for celebrating their freedom, Powell said, adding that knowing this history is important because it prevents it from repeating.

 

Powell reminded the community that there is still work to do to ensure everyone retains their freedom, referencing book banning and rights being taken from women and the LGBTQIA-plus community.

 

"This is why history is so important," he said. "It is not critical race theory. It is critical race history. This is no theory. This is facts," Powell said.

 

"The theory is in the books that our children are using today. They're in the books that you used when you were in school. That was all fairy tales. We've got to change. We've got to have the courage to fight to teach our children the real history."

 

The Pittsfield celebration included acknowledgement of Emma Kennedy, who died on June 2 after a life dedicated to the education and well-being of children.

 

Powell said Kennedy was a true educator.

 

"I had the privilege of growing up in our community that this woman was part of, that village that we all talk about," he said. "It is individuals like Mrs. Kennedy that have me out here doing what I do daily and love to do it."

 

The Pittsfield festival included music, dance and spoken word performances and recognition of 2023 graduates who received scholarships this spring.

 

In North Adams, Powell's message was preceded and followed on the stage by a couple of musical acts.

 

First, rap artist Elijah David of Worcester performed with his son Caleb. Then, following Powell, Pittsfield native Christine Bilé entertained the crowd.

 

A major component of the Berkshire Black Economic Council event was promoting Black artists, entrepreneurship and culture.

 

Early on in Saturday's program, BBEC President and Executive Director A.J. Enchill held a conversation on stage with Taneisha Duggan, an artist in residence at Williams College's '62 Center for Theatre and Dance.

 

After diving deep into the specifics of her current project, Enchill asked Duggan why she chose the Berkshires to work as an artist.

 

"It's beautiful, it's cool, it's temperate," Duggan said. "It is diverse in perspective and ways and living that I think is important for transforming toward the future that you talk about. I've witnessed so many different kinds of people, different ways of approaching life that are unlike Connecticut in some ways.

 

"There's the sprinkle of possibility and also the level of public art that I feel like is part of the background but also feels fresh and new to me — maybe because I come from a place that doesn't have as much public art. That kind of subconscious infiltration of culture is something that is one of a kind."

 

More photos from this event here.

 

iBerkshires.com staff writers Sabrina Damms and Stephen Dravis contributed to this report.