HWS News
16 June 2023 Chaplain Byrd Spoke at Juneteenth Celebration
The Rev. Nita Byrd discussed the history of the date and offered theological reflection.
On Saturday, Dean of Spiritual Engagement and Chaplain Nita Byrd delivered a talk at the Unity of Church of God in Christ’s Juneteenth Celebration and Picnic.
“The congregation has a wonderfully engaged population of young people at their services, including middle and high school students, so, I want my speech to be educational as well as offer a theological reflection,” said Byrd prior to the talk.
Byrd shared that she wove the symbolism of the Sankofa bird, from the tradition of the Akan people, throughout her speech.
“The Sankofa bird symbolizes that we can ‘go back and fetch what we forgot.’” Byrd said.
“And importantly, how we can both learn from the past and move into the future.”
Sankofa is also the name of the HWS Black Student Union. The organization was founded in 1988 to promote education and awareness of the Black diaspora through programs and events.
Byrd said her speech shared the history of African people who were enslaved in North America and started in the 1500s. She also discussed the history of enslaved people who were brought to Geneva, N.Y. and the history of Juneteenth.
“My theological reflection, related to the gospel of Jesus, emphasized that we’re all created by God and all people are worthy of respect,” Byrd added.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. On June 19, 1865, U.S. Major Gen. Gordon Grander issued Order No.3 informing the people of Galveston, Texas that all enslaved people were free.
