This month, Americans across the country honored Juneteenth, a holiday drawn up to commemorate African Americans winning freedom from slavery following the Civil War. Celebrations included cookouts, parades and other celebrations centered around the issue of dignity, justice and remembrance for African Americans continuously burdened with systemic injustice and racism.
Americans from coast to coast came together this weekend to celebrate Juneteenth, a relatively new national holiday commemorating the end of slavery after the American Civil War. People hosted cookouts, parades, and other gatherings to honor the occasion, taking time for both joyous celebration and solemn reflection on the nation’s long history of racism and injustice. Despite attempts to prevent the teaching of this past in public schools, many still recognize the importance of celebrating this hard-won victory for freedom.
It is an unfortunate truth that some states have banned the teaching of Juneteenth and its history and significance, a matter which was raised on Twitter this weekend by Michelle Duster. Nevertheless, Monday’s federal holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. In light of this, Detroit’s Roman Catholic church held a special service on Juneteenth weekend to remind parishioners of the importance of the holiday, spurring reflection and appreciation.
John Thorne, executive director of the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, confidently declared to the congregation at Gesu Catholic Church that justice and peace are inextricably intertwined, emphasizing that this day should be celebrated, but also used as a catalyst for further progress. The Rev. Lorn Snow echoed this sentiment, urging action and a continued commitment to progress.
A recent AP-NORC poll revealed that seventy percent of Black adults agree: there is still much to be done in order to achieve equal treatment for African Americans in policing. It has also been evidenced that Black Americans face significantly worse health outcomes than their white peers in regards to maternal mortality, asthma, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s disease. In Memphis, where the slave trade once flourished, Juneteenth has been celebrated long before it was designated a federal holiday in 2021; even more, the Tennessee Legislature passed a bill earlier this year officially making it a state holiday.
To commemorate this monumental milestone, the National Civil Rights Museum is offering free admission on Monday – a testament to the legacy of civil rights leaders such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers, among others.
The museum’s associate curator Ryan Jones proudly declared that Juneteenth should receive the same recognition and emphasis as Independence Day in the United States. He acknowledged that the holiday is more than just an occasion for parties and cookouts; it is a time to reflect on the past and honor the sacrifices of those who have fought for civil rights since World War I. Jones stated, “It is the independence of a people that were forced to endure oppression and discrimination based on the color of their skin.”
He also noted that the White House’s response to the recent shooting in Illinois was a testament to the significance of Juneteenth, and that Vice President Kamala Harris was furthering its visibility by appearing on a CNN special.
Schools and federal buildings will take the day off on Monday in recognition of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. This significant event is being honored with much respect and pride by the White House, as demonstrated by their response to the recent shooting in Illinois. Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris is furthering visibility for the holiday by appearing on a CNN special.
Juneteenth stands on its own as a powerful day in U.S. history—a symbol not only of slavery’s end but of a bright future filled with updated understanding and reflection of the past. This weekend America united to celebrate the freedom attained and rally for a society rooted in justice and progress. This is likely just the beginning, with more people set to recognize and demand meaningful growth and change around the matter of race and oppression for generations come. People can joyfully remind themselves that it was at this date in the year 1865 that something beautiful occurred- one by one, more than 255 breaths tasted true freedom—binding all present not only in commemoration, but a profound respect for liberty and empowerment.
