Photo Courtesy of Fox 46
A community in Huntersville, North Carolina is outraged after an event scheduled to be held on a plantation on Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the US, turns out to be an occasion to honor white slave masters.
“White refugees have been displaced and have a story to tell as well,” the Historic Latta Plantation event stated in its description, according to Blavity.
The event’s social media page, which is now deleted, also stated that guests would “hear stories from the Massa himself who is now living in the woods.”
Ryan Pitkin, a journalist in Charlotte, North Carolina, shared screenshots of the now-deleted event page.
“Confederate soldiers who will be heading home express their feelings about the downfall of the Confederacy,” the organizers stated.
In a statement on Twitter on Friday, Mecklenburg County officials said they weren’t aware of the event.
According to Pitkin, Huntersville issued a statement, saying “funding for Latta Plantation in the next fiscal year will be put on hold pending further investigation.”
A large number of outraged residents in Huntersville swarmed social media to express their anger, forcing organizers to cancel the Juneteenth event and pointed to other similar instances of racism happening around the country.
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Residents shared their disappointment and anger with the event:
“It hurt. We understand the history of what Juneteenth is, is something that we now celebrate, but also it’s rooted in pain,” resident Hannah Hasan told WCNC.
“A terrible example of white supremacy,” Huntersville resident Monica Raab told WCNC. “I was lost for words that someone would think this is a good idea.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles posted on Twitter to condemn the event. Lyles also reflected on the purpose of Juneteenth.
The historic site manager, Ian Campbell, who is Black, responded to the outrage by posting
a 1,348-word statement defending the Juneteenth program as educational about Reconstruction.“To the masses on social media and politicians, no apology will be given for bringing a unique program to educate the public about former slaves becoming FREE!”
After the backlash on social media, the event has been canceled.