January 1, 1865

Memphis Freedmen Camp near Fort Pickering

 In 1862, Memphis became a federally occupied city and thousands of African-Americans fled to the city seeking "refuge and safety" of The Union Army at Camp Shiloh, Camp Dixie, and Fort Pickering. Prior to Union control of the city Memphis had 3,000 African-American (slave) inhabitants, this number swelled to nearly 20,000 "contraband" by 1865. These settlements quickly developed nearby farm land and opened schools, churches, barber shops, saloons, etc.

But, life was far from perfect.

The Freedman were constantly threatened by local whites/ Union troops and were forced to abide by impromptu "Black Codes"...especially "laws" requiring proof of employment/ vagrancy imprisonment.

Although the transition to freedom was very difficult, there was still reason to celebrate.

Emancipation Day was celebrated annually in Memphis with speeches, a parade, food, etc. to commemorate the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

 Here is a Memphis Bulletin excerpt chronicling the Emancipation Day Parade of January 1, 1865: 

Men who are so fearful of the bugaboo of negro social equality and amalgamation-so apprehensive of the blacks surpassing the whites in intellectual and industrial pursuits that they fear to deal justice to the negro, and cannot see that the true interest of Tennessee lies in wiping out the effete institution of slavery...(these men saw) their parade of school children, and their display of benevolent organizations, as well as their speeches, prayers and singing.
 
The (white) man who looked. . . to ascertain. . . (witnessed) their law abiding character, their loyalty to the Union, their wish to educate their children, their profound gratitude to God, saw more than laughable or absurd incidents. He saw a race rising from ignorant, imbruted chattelism to manhood. He saw them. . . not thirsting for revenge. . . not dreaming of lying in idleness, but with prayers. . . hymns. . .cheers for Lincoln, expressions of intense regard for Union soldiers, and. . .exhorting each other to manful lives and honest labor.

January 1, 1865 (150 years ago today) should be an inspiration for us to:

Allocate justice to all people.

Celebrate our accomplishments.

Be thankful that we live in a country where people earnestly seek freedom.

Exhort each other to dream of living honorable lives.