Ribbons in the Sky

​In celebration of Juneteenth, we invite you to participate in “Ribbons in the Sky,” an interactive public art project at Circle and Harrison. June 12th thru June 20th. Read the accountability pledge from Forest Park Against Racism, take a ribbon and sign your name, and then tie your ribbon to the fence as a sign of your commitment to anti-racism. Find anti-racism resources at fppl.org/juneteenth.
-------------------
June 19th, 1865 (Juneteenth) is when enslaved African Americans of Galveston, Texas learned they were free - the news erupted into a history-making celebration known as “Juneteenth.” The formerly enslaved African Americans rejoiced and declared that day “Freedom Day,” “Emancipation Day,” or Juneteenth (“June” plus “nineteenth”). It had been nearly 2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation that enslaved Texans learned that they were in fact free. That hopeful day in June marked the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom.
Juneteenth celebrates and commemorates black culture and reinforces black history as American history. Juneteenth creates space for education, advocacy, and healing. Celebrating Juneteenth provides a unifying platform for all Americans to celebrate our common bond of freedom.
In 2008, along with a group of community residents, then Commissioner, Mayor Rory Hoskins founded the Annual Forest Park Juneteenth Pool Party. Since then, the annual event has energized other surrounding communities to host their own celebrations in honor of Juneteenth’s historical significance.


-------------------
In celebration of Juneteenth, we invite you to participate in “Ribbons in the Sky,” an interactive public art project at the top of Circle Avenue Bridge across from the CTA station exit from June 12-20. Read the accountability pledge below from Forest Park Against Racism, take a ribbon, and sign your name. Then, tie your ribbon to the bridge as a sign of your commitment to anti-racism. Check out the Library’s Anti-Racism Resource Guide for more information.


You can pick up a ribbon on the bridge beginning June 12, or stop by the Library to pick one up.


Antiracism Pledge
I understand that systems and power structures in our society are designed to favor those with more privilege over those with none.
Therefore, I pledge to work towards eliminating the injustices, inequities, and misconceptions that come from the systemic racism rooted in our society.
I personally will work towards positive and transformational change through the following:
Education: learning about racism in our nation’s history, how it is ingrained in our institutions and society at large, and how it has led to injustice.
Active listening: spending time with, connecting, and listening to directly impacted people from communities who have been marginalized and criminalized by systemic racism.
Stepping up and speaking out when encountering racist remarks.
Acknowledging that I have privilege and power that can be used towards building a more just and equitable community where we can all hold each other accountable.
In signing this pledge, I commit through my intentional actions to work towards dismantling systemic racism in my community, in justice for all.
Compromiso Antirracista
Entiendo que los sistemas y estructuras de poder en nuestra sociedad están diseñados para favorecer a quienes tienen más privilegios que a quienes no los tienen.
Por lo tanto, me comprometo a trabajar para eliminar las injusticias, las desigualdades y los conceptos erróneos que provienen del racismo sistémico arraigado en nuestra sociedad.
Personalmente trabajaré hacia un cambio positivo y transformador a través de lo siguiente:
Educación: hacer todo lo posible para aprender sobre el racismo en la historia de nuestra nación, cómo está arraigado en nuestras instituciones y la sociedad en general, y cómo este mismo conduce hacia la injusticia.
Escuchar activamente: escuchar a las personas directamente afectadas de las comunidades que han sido marginadas y criminalizadas por el racismo sistémico.
Dar un paso al frente y hablar firmemente cuando escuche comentarios racistas por parte de otros.
Reconociendo que tengo privilegios y poder que pueden usarse para construir una comunidad más justa y equitativa donde todos podemos responsabilizarnos mutuamente.
Al firmar este compromiso, me comprometo a través de mis acciones e intenciones al trabajo para desmantelar el racismo sistémico en mi comunidad, con un enfoque de justicia para todos.

Read more about Juneteenth in Forest Park at the Forest Park Review