JUNETEENTH FREEDOM
BETTER LATE THAN NOT AT ALL
Hey there, folks! It's your friendly neighborhood blogger back again with another post. Today, we're talking about Juneteenth. Yes, I know it's a bit late (the holiday not this post), but hey, better late than not at all, right?
For those of you who don't know, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the day when slaves in Texas were finally informed of their emancipation. It's a day that celebrates freedom and reminds us of the struggles that our ancestors went through to get us here.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But wait, isn't Juneteenth just a Black holiday?" And to that, I say, "Well, duh." Of course, it's a Black holiday. It celebrates the end of slavery and the beginning of a new era for Black people in America. But that doesn't mean that non-Black people can't celebrate it too.
In fact, I encourage everyone to celebrate Juneteenth. Why? Because it's a day that represents hope and progress. It's a day that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Now, I know some of you might be wondering how to celebrate Juneteenth. Well, fear not my friends, for I have some ideas for you.
First off, you can educate yourself. Learn about the history of Juneteenth and why it's important. Read books, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to celebrate this holiday.
Secondly, you can support Black-owned businesses. Buy from Black-owned restaurants, shops, and online stores. Show your support for the Black community by putting your money where your mouth is.
Lastly, you can attend a Juneteenth celebration. Many cities have parades, festivals, and other events to commemorate this holiday. Go out and have some fun while celebrating freedom and progress.
In conclusion, Juneteenth may be late, but it's better late than not at all. So let's all take a moment to reflect on the progress we've made and the work we still have to do. Let's celebrate freedom and hope for a brighter future for all. Happy Juneteenth!
CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH
AMERICA'S NEWEST HOLIDAY
Juneteenth is a word that combines June and nineteenth, but it's more than just a date. It's a celebration of freedom, a commemoration of history, and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the United States.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved African Americans were free by order of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued two and a half years earlier⁴. The news came as a shock to the more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas, who had been kept in bondage by their owners even after the end of the Civil War in April 1865⁶.
The newly freed people celebrated with joy and jubilation, and the following year, they organized the first Juneteenth festivities. Since then, Juneteenth has become a tradition among African American communities across the country, featuring parades, picnics, music, speeches, and cultural performances⁶.
Why is Juneteenth important?
Juneteenth is important because it honors the resilience and resistance of African Americans who endured centuries of slavery, oppression, and violence. It also recognizes the contributions of Black Americans to the nation's history, culture, and democracy.
Juneteenth is also important because it challenges the dominant narrative of American history that often marginalizes or erases the experiences of people of color. For example, many Americans learn about July 4th as the day that the United States declared its independence from Britain, but they may not learn about how slavery continued to exist for another 89 years after that declaration. Juneteenth offers an alternative perspective that highlights the unfinished work of securing freedom and equality for all Americans⁴.
How is Juneteenth celebrated?
Juneteenth is celebrated in various ways across the country, depending on the local context and culture. Some common elements include:
- - Educational events: Many Juneteenth celebrations include lectures, workshops, book readings, film screenings, and museum visits that educate people about the history and significance of Juneteenth and Black culture in general⁴.
- - Artistic expression: Music, dance, poetry, theater, and visual arts are often featured in Juneteenth celebrations as forms of creative expression and cultural affirmation. Some popular genres include gospel, blues, jazz, hip hop, soul, and reggae⁴.
- - Community service: Some Juneteenth celebrations involve volunteering, fundraising, or donating to causes that support Black communities and social justice movements. For example, some people may participate in voter registration drives, health fairs, environmental cleanups, or anti-violence campaigns⁴.
- - Family and friends: Juneteenth is also a time to gather with family and friends and enjoy each other's company. Many people host or attend cookouts, potlucks, picnics, or block parties where they share food, drinks, games, and stories⁴.
How did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 after decades of advocacy by activists, lawmakers, celebrities, and ordinary citizens. The movement gained momentum in 2020 after the nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice sparked by the killings of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Rayshard Brooks , and other Black Americans. Many people saw Juneteenth as a symbol of hope and solidarity in the face of systemic racism and oppression².
On June 15th , 2021 , the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The next day , the U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill by a vote of 415 to 14 . On June 17th , President Joe Biden signed the bill into law , making Juneteenth the 11th federal holiday and the first new one since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983¹.
What does Juneteenth mean today?
Juneteenth means different things to different people today , but one common theme is that it is a day to celebrate Black culture , history , and resilience while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges and inequities that Black Americans face . As President Biden said at the signing ceremony , "Juneteenth marks both a long hard night of slavery subjugation and a promise of a brighter morning to come . This is a day of profound weight and profound power . A day in which we remember the moral stain , the terrible toll that slavery took on the country — and continues to take ."¹
Juneteenth also means that more Americans will have an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the rich and diverse heritage of Black Americans , and to join them in their quest for justice and freedom . As Opal Lee , a 94-year-old activist who has been campaigning for Juneteenth to be a national holiday for years , said , "I'm hoping that Juneteenth will bring us together . We've got all these disparities that we've got to address , and I mean all of us . It's not a Black thing . It's not a white thing . It's an American thing .
"¹¹: [What to know about Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-to-know-about-juneteenth-the-newest-federal-holiday/ar-AA1cKizi)
²: [What is Juneteenth? Learn the history behind the federal holiday's origin and name](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-is-juneteenth-learn-the-history-behind-the-federal-holidays-origin/ar-AA1cHCPc)
³: [The story behind Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday](https://www.chron.com/news/article/the-story-behind-juneteenth-and-how-it-became-a-18159389.php)
⁴: [What to know about Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday](https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/19/us/juneteenth-federal-holiday-explained-cec/index.html)
⁵: [What is Juneteenth? History of US federal holiday and its celebration ...](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/what-is-juneteenth-how-are-people-marking-day-2023-06-19/)
⁶: [Juneteenth - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth).
Bing, 6/19/2023
What to know about Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday. https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/19/us/juneteenth-federal-holiday-explained-cec/index.html.
Juneteenth - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth.
What is Juneteenth? Learn the history behind the federal holiday's origin and name. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-is-juneteenth-learn-the-history-behind-the-federal-holidays-origin/ar-AA1cHCPc.
What to know about Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-to-know-about-juneteenth-the-newest-federal-holiday/ar-AA1cKizi.
The story behind Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday. https://www.chron.com/news/article/the-story-behind-juneteenth-and-how-it-became-a-18159389.php.
What is Juneteenth? History of US federal holiday and its celebration .... https://www.reuters.com/world/us/what-is-juneteenth-how-are-people-marking-day-2023-06-19/.
