The Inclusive Reading Club’s February meeting will focus on history of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday signed into law in 2021 by President Joe Biden, and it is recognized annually on June 19. IRC’s readings will explore the origins of Juneteenth, which marked the end of legalized slavery with the arrival of federal troops in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 after the end of the Civil War.

Gordon-Reeds’s book offers a compelling account of Texas and its own ties to slavery, when many people today are only aware of cowboys, ranchers, and oilmen in the lore of the Lone Star State. Gordon-Reed is a native Texan and a descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas, and she writes a well-rounded narrative of her home state with implications for everyone in the U.S.

Observances of Juneteenth demand a look back at Rhode Island’s own history. Newport was the dominant slaving port in North America and was complicit in trafficking and enslaving Africans for more than 200 years. Local organizations and city government are honoring Juneteenth with educational opportunities and celebrations, acknowledging the importance of being honest about the area’s history.

To register for the upcoming IRC, go to the event page.

The Inclusive Reading Club’s mission is to engage members of the Salve Regina community in exploring issues of diversity and multiculturalism through short readings and discussions. It provides an inclusive environment that encourages participants to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of different identities, cultures and communities.

The IRC is managed collaboratively by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention and McKillop Library. For questions, please contact Rose Albert, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, at rose.albert@salve.edu, or Gretchen Sotomayor, special programs and instruction librarian at McKillop Library, at gretchen.sotomayor@salve.edu.