Spectacular Magazine (July 2014) Spectacular Magazine - July 2014 | Page 5

EDITORIAL From The Publisher’s Desk... WHEN WILL WE HAVE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY? As the 4th of July, American Independence Day, comes around again, let us not forget that the ancestors of African descent were trapped in the tyranny of enslavement. Juneteenth, the "19th of June" 1865, African-American Independence Day, America's 2nd Independence Day, recognizing the end of slavery, did not occur until over 88 years after the first "4th of July" IN 1776. The words of Frederick Douglass, a former slave, brilliantly written in "What to the American Slave is Your 4th of July?", continues as the best historic reminder of why the "4th of July" should never be celebrated without being reminded of the significance of the "19th of June" in America. Read the entire speech on our website www.spectacularmag.com On Saturday June 21, 2014 the 10th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration was held in Durham, NC. I want to give a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to PNC Bank, our presenting sponsor, and all of our sponsors. Thank you for having foresight, vision and a connection to the community. Thank you for your support. Thank you for “getting it”…for understanding the importance of Juneteenth! Together we will see Juneteenth become a National Day of Observance in America! SPONSORS 10TH ANNUAL NC JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION SPONSORS PRESENTED BY TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Sincerely, Thank You! Phyllis Coley OP-ED SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Spectacular Magazine accepts opinion articles on any topic, not only policy, politics or government. If it’s opinionated and you believe our readers will find it worth reading, please submit it. Submissions of any length will be considered but the more concise the better chance it will be selected for print. All submissions must be original, and exclusive to Spectacular Magazine. We will not consider articles that have already been published, in any form, in print or online. Submissions may be sent in either of these ways: By e-mail to: opinion@ spectacularmag.com Or by mail to: Spectacular Magazine Opinion Page (P.O. Box 361 Durham, NC 27702) Submission must include your full name, address and phone number. Unfortunately, we cannot reply to all submissions. If you do not hear from us within five (5) business days, please assume that we will not be able to use your article. You should then feel free to offer it elsewhere. Phyllis Coley (CEO/Publisher: [email protected]) www.spectacularmag.com | July 2014 | SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE 5