Juneteenth event planners in South Carolina have issued an apology for using a banner with just a white couple to promote the day commemorating the emancipation of African slaves.
Soon after it was displayed throughout Greenville, the seemingly colorblind promotional materials for Juneteenth GVL’s “mega fest” sparked criticism and even demanded for a boycott.
“You want to celebrate the depth of black culture on Juneteenth by putting white [people] as the face of it?” one outraged critic tweeted.
“How were you not aware how problematic that is?”
Another critic wrote, “This is how Black History gets completely distorted, repackaged, to be palatable for white Americans.”
“This is 100% doing harm. This is 100% buying in to the idea we can’t be whole on our own. Not even for one day,” The critic added.
One local even suggested it was part of a general trend that “has erased everything else Black in my hometown.”
Bruce Wilson, a Greenville activist who has previously held Juneteenth celebrations, urged the city to boycott the “mega fest.”
“I was appalled — I was saddened, I was angry,” Wilson told FOX Carolina.
“I’m the first to say that white America can celebrate Juneteenth, I just don’t think white America should be the faceof Juneteenth,” he said.
Initially, the Juneteenth GVL board of black business executives defended the banner, claiming it was one of 50 intended to represent the variety of the gathered local community.
“The images on the flag were very intentional,” co-founder Pete Lee told WYFF.
“We have been knocking at the door for so long to include us,” he said of the black community.
“Now that we have a seat at the table, the last thing we want to do is what’s been done for years is to exclude.”
Rueben Hays, the organization’s founder and executive director, added that the banner “was approved by myself, as well as my co-founders.”
“And we feel like they bring the right type of messaging of unity, freedom and love,” Hays said proudly.
As criticism grew, he changed his mind and issued a groveling apology on Thursday, vowing to take them all down “as soon as possible.”
“Juneteenth GVL would like to offer an apology to the community for the presence of non-black faces being represented on two flags representing Juneteenth,” he said in a statement.
“We take full responsibility for this misstep,” he wrote — while blaming “a slight oversight on one individual’s part” for the messaging he previously said he’d personally approved.
“We sincerely apologize for any disappointment or frustration caused by this oversight,” he said.
“Moving forward, we are committed to ensuring that our events fully reflect the diversity, inclusivity, and historical significance of Juneteenth.”
City officials took swift action to separate themselves from the criticism.
An official told Fox, “The city is not managing or organizing the event.”
