EXPERT: What is emancipation day?

WASHINGTON (WDVM) — In Washington D.C. Saturday a whole bunch returned for the celebration of the district’s Emancipation Day. The annual pageant was placed on maintain for 2 years attributable to COVID-19.

The historic vacation commemorates the top of slavery within the nation’s capital, however what does the vacation actually imply for African People at present. WDVM spoke to an professional to breakdown the historic impression.

“It’s a day of celebration, it reveals that our nation transfer ahead and it was an enormous space that is important,” mentioned Dr. Jason Nichols, senior African American research lecturer on the College of Maryland Faculty Park.

On April 16, 160 years in the past laws was handed that emancipated greater than 3000 enslaved Africans.

“The actually important half about that’s whereas there’s a dialogue nationwide, about reparations, we’ve got to acknowledge that there have been reparations at the moment, they simply didn’t go to the enslaved Africans, they went to the previous slaveholders who’re compensated for his or her lack of property,” mentioned Nichols.

It was a historic step in a greater course for African People within the nation’s capital.

“If you wish to speak concerning the historical past of this nation, it is advisable know all of the elements of it, the great, the unhealthy, and the ugly, and it is advisable find out about all completely different sorts of individuals and the way this nation has handled them and the way we’ve progressed,” mentioned Nichols.

Nichols says African People have made large progress since then however extra nonetheless must be completed.

“We additionally need to acknowledge that we’ve got a particularly, extraordinarily lengthy technique to go. We now have so many disparities by way of wealth by way of homeownership, by way of the setting. You understand, by way of well being care and well being outcomes, there are such a lot of locations that want our focus.
He says by honoring this historic day, and uniting with others extra could be completed for the Black neighborhood,” he mentioned.

He says by persevering with to acknowledge at the present time, and becoming a member of forces with others extra could be completed for the Black neighborhood.

“All of us have a job on this nation by way of making it a greater place, make it a extra equitable place, making it a spot the place anyone can attain their targets. That’s the purpose of America and we’re going to wish everybody to take part and do their half,” he mentioned.

The Washington D.C. emancipation day pageant included a number of performances and a fireworks present close to Pennsylvania and tenth road.