AUBURN, N.Y. (NCC News) – Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates freedom. Not many people represent freedom like Harriet Tubman.
When it came time for Tubman to find a place to live and protect her family after gaining freedom, she chose the abolitionist-friendly Auburn, New York. Today, Auburn still honors her with murals, statues and a National Historic Park.
“Black history, to me,” Simone Calender said, “starts with Harriet Tubman.”
Callender was born and raised in Auburn. She described Auburn as Tubman’s “chosen home.” Tubman was not born in Auburn, but adopted the place as her own.
Tubman is a figure that brings the Auburn community together everyday but especially on Juneteenth. Callender sees the community coming together as one of the best aspects of the day.
“It’s just beautiful for us to be together and to support one another,” Callender said. “Come together as one in unity, break bread together and celebrate.”
Callender serves in the Auburn-Cayuga chapter of the NAACP alongside Melody Smith Johnson. Smith Johnson concurred on the importance of community on Juneteenth.
“Is there anything other than community? My community is the basis of what we do,” Smith Johnson said. “Community feeds into families, families feed into children. Children are our future.”
Harriet Tubman shared this mindset. According to the National Parks Service, she welcomed many people into her home including disabled people, orphans and seniors too old to work or support themselves.
From the beginning, she was fostering a community in Auburn. That community is felt today in their Juneteenth celebrations.
TRANSCRIPT:
Zach Card: Auburn was named one of the best 16 places to celebrate Juneteenth in the whole country. The town dubbed “History’s Hometown” still feels the influence of freedom fighters like Harriet Tubman who called Auburn home.
Natural Sounds: Band playing during Auburn, N.Y. Juneteenth Parade.
Melody Smith Johnson: Without freedom, there is no access without freedom, there’s no opportunity. Without freedom, there’s no hope. Without freedom, there’s no joy.
Card: Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. Freedom thrives off of community and education. Two integral pillars of this holiday.
Smith Johnson: Is there anything other than community? My community is the basis of what we do. Community feeds into families, families feed into children. Children is, you know, our future. If you don’t know where you’ve been, the saying says you can’t even possibly imagine where you’re going.
Card: Melody Smith Johnson is a business owner in Auburn. She may not have been born in Auburn, but like Harriet Tubman she chose Auburn as her hometown. Simone Callender on the other hand was born and raised in Auburn.
Simone Callender: This is Harriet Tubman. Auburn is Harriet Tubman.
Card: Tubman moved to Auburn in 1859 with the help of another historical Auburn figure. William Seward’s wide Frances sold Tubman the land her home is on even though it was illegal. This simple act of important defiance helped Harriet set up a home base for her family and bring many to freedom.
Callender: Black history in Auburn, New York, to me, starts with Harriet Tubman
Smith Johnson: It’s not just the history she has descendants still here who have her blood running in their veins, who can tell you about aunt Harriet, who can tell you her story.
Card: Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. Very few people represent freedom lkke Harriet Tubman. In Auburn, I’m Zach Card. NCC News.
Card: Auburn started the celebrations with a parade last Saturday. The fun continues tomorrow with a lunch and learn at the Equal Rights Heritage Center and free tours at the Seward House Museum.