Recognizing Juneteenth in Austin
Black Austin Matters! In observance of Juneteenth this year, we wanted to recognize and educate ourselves on places of historical and artistic significance to Austin’s Black community. On Juneteenth, members of Los Verdes went on bike ride through East Austin with some of the banners that we will proudly display in the stadium next year, as a representation of our commitment to being an anti-racist organization. We are proud to stand and cheer with the Black Austin community as we build an inclusive environment in the stands and beyond.
Click on each image below to expand:
Each of these spots have historic significance to Black East Austin. More information on the locations:
Chris Rogers’ (@chrisrogersart) brand new mural at Native Hostel is dedicated to the lives of George Floyd, Mike Ramos, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor and Trayvon Martin. The mural depicts George Floyd’s face above a burning city, symbolizing the nationwide protests held in response to his death. Rogers has another famous East Austin mural at 12th & Chicon.
The presence of the Dedrick-Hamilton house in East Austin represents the resilience and strength that defines the Black community in Central East Austin. The house was owned by Thomas Dedrick, one of the first freed slaves in Travis County. Dedrick and his son, William, constructed the Dedrick-home around 1880 in one of the earliest African American communities in East Austin. It now serves as the Visitors Center for Austin’s African-American Cultural & Heritage Facility (AACHF).
The “Rhapsody” mural at Urdy Plaza is a tribute to East Austin's musical past. The 50-foot-long mosaic was designed in 2003 by University of Texas art professor John Yancey to commemorate a time when blues and jazz music filtered through the east side of segregated Austin.
The Historic Victory Grill was a hub of Black nightlife and music in East Austin for decades. Opened on Victory over Japan Day in 1945, it was a space created for black soldiers returning to a segregated society post World War II. During the 1950s, the club hosted artists such as Etta James, Billie Holliday and B.B. King.
The George Washington Carver Museum and the Carver Branch Library are known as the “Drumbeat of the Black Community” in Austin. The complex is a hub for Black history, creativity, and community convening since its inception in the 1930s. It is the home of the Carver Juneteenth Memorial which depicts the moment when African American slaves learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865.
Between Waller and Lydia Streets on East 11th Street, “Black Artists Matter” was painted in bright yellow paint this week. Capitol View Arts and the Austin Justice Coalition picked the spot for this mural because of its history as “the heart of of the African-American community in east Austin.”
All photos courtesy of Katie Ensign.
