‘Black joy is a form of resistance.’ LA’s Juneteenth is partying with purpose
LOS ANGELES — A small group converged Tuesday evening on the wide alleyway in downtown Los Angeles’ warehouse district. The young Black men and women filed out of cars and dapped and hugged the way you would any other day before the great pandemic.
Then they got down to business.
The meeting was a walkthrough for a block party they were planning to celebrate Juneteenth. It was dark out, but the unconventional venue was illuminated by street lamps and the bright security lights on nearby loading docks. So was the colorful graffiti on nearly every inch of the surrounding buildings.
“I️’ve literally driven down almost every dark corner in this city, at 2 and 3 a.m., looking for a space where we can bring some light and joy via our block party,” said Brian Henry, the party’s creator and lead organizer.
