By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Human Relations Officer Dave Sotelo wants to remind the public that the Pan African Flags you may see downtown this weekend are part of the city's Emancipation Day celebration.
"This community has been celebrating Emancipation Day since 1889," Sotelo said. "It was a big celebration in Atchison for Emancipation Day for black people living in Kansas, at some point, they decided, you know what, let's have a statewide celebration in Hutchinson."
By the 1930s, the observance was held in early August and that's where it has been since.
"We're celebrating the people that are very much Kansans, very much Hutchinsonians, that live in our community, that are our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They are celebrating that history, we too, even if we are not Black, we can certainly be part of the celebration."
Sotelo notes that is okay to be curious.
"It’s okay to ask why is this flag flying downtown," Sotelo said “What does this flag mean? The Pan-African flag represents unity amongst the African diaspora around the world and in the US. As we celebrate this weekend, the flag becomes a symbol of the common struggles black people have overcome in this country, and the ongoing fight for equity in our community."
Sotelo wants to commend those that are asking questions and he wants to be a resource for them. Call him at 620-694-2608 with questions.