NC Apple Festival executive director resigns over Juneteenth Facebook post
North Carolina Apple Festival Executive Director David Nicholson resigned June 23 due backlash he and the festival received after he posted on Facebook that Juneteenth was a "made up holiday," according to a NC Apple Festival Facebook post.
Nicholson apologized for the post he made following a visit June 20 to a closed post office. He said he did not know about Juneteenth, an annual holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas were told they were finally free. The day has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s.
"As a board, we were saddened and disappointed to hear our executive director, David Nicholson, made disparaging remarks on social media about the Juneteenth Holiday. We have accepted Mr. Nicholson's resignation effective immediately," the NC Apple Festival posted on Facebook on June 23. "His remarks do not reflect or represent the board or our mission to the community. Just as we celebrate the apple harvest during Labor Day Weekend, we join in celebrating Juneteenth with all members of our community and apologize for the actions of Mr. Nicholson."
Nicholson's Facebook post on June 20, which has since been removed, said “The Post Office is closed today for some made up holiday that I never heard of? Just when is the ‘Old Fat White Man Day’? I really want to celebrate this day.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Nicholson posted an apology to Facebook, which said, “I’m sorry that I offended a number of persons yesterday with my post. I was trying to be sarcastic and I guess it didn’t work. I apologize,” the post says.
“Seriously, I had never heard of Juneteenth until yesterday,” Nicholson told the Times-News on Tuesday. “I had tried to go to the post office and it was closed.”
Nicholson said he came home Monday and Googled “Why is the post office closed today?”
“When it popped up, I, trying to be sarcastic, posted the note to Facebook,” he said. “I certainly have learned my lesson and a lot about Juneteenth over the past day."
In 2021, President Joe Biden proclaimed Juneteenth a federal holiday for Americans to commemorate the end of slavery, and Hendersonville City Council declared June 19 "Juneteenth Day" in the city. Several local events were held this month to honor the day.
Crystal Cauley, local activist and founder of the Black Business Network of WNC, said on Facebook that she is thankful she had the courage to post publicly the same way Nicholson did.
"I have reflected on this unfortunate event for hours and hours. I hope and pray that anyone who may not understand a cultural observance, holiday or African American history to please reach out to me," Cauley said on Facebook. "It's okay to reach out to me and I know a number of great leaders who would love to help anyone if we can. My email is bbnofwnc@gmail.com. We have to move forward and of course support our beloved farmers, vendors and the spirit of The NC Apple Festival."
Cauley told the Times-News a local business owner and Facebook friend of Nicholson messaged her with a screenshot of the post and asked her to email it to city and county leaders.
"At that moment, I became tired as a social justice activist sending private emails concerning leaders, teachers and police officers to name a few with issues that should not be swept under the rug," Cauley said. "I felt that my decision to share the post publicly the same way Nicholson shared publicly on social media was not a crime. It was time to stand up at that moment for everyone and not talk about this behind closed doors."
Cauley said many of her elders have had issues with the NC Apple Festival since before she was born.
"Many elders did not feel the Apple Festival was an inclusive festival decades ago and many young minorities feel the same way. The Apple Festival began in 1946 and I could imagine how the festival may have been when there was segregation in this county," she said.
"My suggestions for The Apple Festival Board would be for the new CEO, appointed officers and volunteers to represent diversity and inclusion with having a board that reflects this county. I don't think the present board has any minorities representing The 76th NC Apple Festival and I hope that will change."
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: NC Apple Festival director resigns over Juneteenth Facebook post
