The Black Slaves In America Were Lives Lived
Juneteenth was the day of June 19, 1865, where Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in Texas was written and signed by the president of the United States that ended slavery of African Americans in the state and now on June 17, 2021, our president Joe Biden has made it a Federal holiday whereas many people were not taught about Juneteenth Day because it was solely a regional holiday.
Unfortunately in Justin Chan's Juneteenth marks an incredibly important moment in U.S history that you probably never learned, In the Know by yahoo! Henry Louis Gates Jr. a history scholar who is African American had stated that many slave owners did not obey the Emancipation Proclamation and had moved to Texas with their slaves until many of them who came to understand that they were free decided to risk their own lives by crossing the river that flowed between Texas and Louisiana.
What was Slavery and how did President Lincoln end it?
Because President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in Texas took 2 and a half years ago to be put into action there is a great sense of urgency among the Black community about how Juneteenth Day should be treated since it was not taken as seriously as before.
As with all Federal holidays, most people have the day off from their jobs which allows them to celebrate the holiday. But it was fiercely warned, that having a barbecue is not an effective way to celebrate the end of slavery while suggesting, however, a more useful alternative like supporting a Black-owned business instead of buying keepsakes that represent powerful remembrances of that revolutionary day.
Now that it is Federal knowledge that Juneteenth Day is the day that slavery has ended and African Americans are now free citizens, it is not only important that we as Americans publicly acknowledge this day, its painful history, and know what it means for the African Americans that are living today, it has become vital that we understand how to celebrate Juneteenth Day.
In Juneteenth decoration Day and the memory of " these honored dead" Black and White by Vern E. Smith a contributor, in the past year 2020 after a white police officer killed an African America man named George Floyd, there was national outrage and a call for racial and social change which made Juneteenth especially vibrant day where it would be considered a paid holiday as well as a federal one.
Celebrating a freed slave is Just as important.
Normally many family gatherings are served with strawberry soda and pie with red rice and watermelon that unfortunately symbolize the brutality of slavery while others celebrate it by engaging in sports such as baseball, fishing, and rodeos, and yes, barbecues.
Barbecues were large outdoor meals that were used to celebrate Independence Day after the Americans won the American Revolutionary War where Food was donated by the community and was enjoyed after the Americans would sing songs and give speeches of patriotism.
Cultural diffusion is not enough...
On June 19, 2021, at the University of Washington Tacoma, Juneteenth is a time to honor, celebrate, respect on 10 am, the University of Washington joined with other campuses to celebrate Juneteenth in Seattle and Bothell by hoisting the Pan African flag and honoring the commitment of equity and inclusion by the releasing Black Opportunity Fund which will help in furthering the prosperous future of their Black students.
However, there are other ways to remember Juneteenth Day:
- by educating oneself and others which is by learning and spreading the word about the Black Lives Matter Movement and watching movies about racism such as The Hate U Give and reading books such as The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin or Between World and Me by Ta- Nehisi Coates.
- I myself would like to make another educational contribution such as reading the books" Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" and its sequel " Let the Circle Be Unbroken" by Mildred D. Taylor which is a part of a series called "Logan" and
- " The Cay" by Theodore Taylor. Although these books are not banned for their depiction of the intensity of racism there are moments that are faint in the slightest light that needs to be explored in the educational system because Racism is taught and not an innate human emotion.
- The Raisin in The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry
Opinions and Perspectives
I'm glad Juneteenth is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a federal holiday. It's shocking how many people still don't know about this significant part of our history.
Learning about how slave owners deliberately moved to Texas to avoid freeing their slaves makes my blood boil. Those people risked their lives crossing rivers to find freedom.
Reading this article opened my eyes to how we should be celebrating Juneteenth. A barbecue seems too casual for such a meaningful day.
I actually disagree about the barbecue point. Coming together as a community to share food and stories has always been an important part of Black culture and resistance.
The University of Washington's Black Opportunity Fund is a great step forward. We need more concrete actions like this to create real change.
Just finished reading Between World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It should be required reading in schools alongside this history.
The red foods traditionally served during Juneteenth have such deep symbolic meaning. It's important we understand these traditions while celebrating.
Anyone else find it frustrating that we weren't taught about this in school? I only learned about Juneteenth as an adult.
The connection between George Floyd's murder and Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday shows how current events can push historical recognition forward.
What strikes me most is the 2.5 year delay in Texas receiving the Emancipation Proclamation. That's 2.5 years of continued enslavement after freedom was declared.
My grandmother used to tell us stories about Juneteenth celebrations in Texas. The traditions meant so much more when I learned the history behind them.
Supporting Black-owned businesses is a meaningful way to celebrate. I've been compiling a list of local shops in my area.
The article mentions Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. That book changed my perspective when I read it as a teenager.
While I appreciate the federal holiday status, we need to ensure it doesn't become commercialized like many other important commemorations.
The Pan African flag raising is such a powerful symbol. These public acknowledgments matter.
You make a good point about commercialization. I already see companies trying to profit off Juneteenth without understanding its significance.