'Keep fighting for freedom:’ Yonkers Juneteenth event addresses lasting impact of slavery
The city recognized local musical icons, including Ella Fitzgerald, Mary J Blige, the Lox and DMX.
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Deeper conversations about the impact slavery still has on African Americans were addressed at the Juneteenth event in Yonkers.
The city recognized local musical icons, including Ella Fitzgerald, Mary J Blige, the Lox and DMX.
Music is something slavery had an impact on, but there are other parts of life the past hasn't quite let go of.
Organizers say the holiday is a moment to mark the resilience and spirit of the African American community. It's a time to reflect on shared history, celebrate progress and recognize the work that lies ahead.
Historian Teresa Vega can directly trace her genealogy to enslaved people working at the Bush-Holley House in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Vega says equality is something that still has to be fought for and Juneteenth is a day to celebrate while keeping in mind the work left.
"It's incumbent on all of us to keep fighting for freedom, keep fighting to make this country stand up and live up to the creed all Americans are equal,” she says.
A lot of people at the event told News 12 that felt the Westchester communities they live in are some of those leading that fight.
For example, Black mothers in America are roughly three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.
Westchester County launched a $1 million Black maternal child health initiative this winter to fight this statistic.
