Table Of Contents
What Is Juneteenth?
Educational Reference: The 13th Documentary
A Collection of Voices: What Does Juneteenth Mean To You?
Before President Biden changed history and made Juneteenth a federal holiday this week, I asked the CEO of my company to implement Juneteenth as a company holiday last year during all of the turmoil in 2020, and he said: Yes, this is long overdue.
Why wait for the government to make a change when you can make it yourself?
Juneteenth is a holiday that should never be forgotten, overlooked, or diminished. It’s a celebration of when Black human beings were humanized — how ironic — and granted freedom.
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (June 19th), the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration, recognizes the demise of slavery in the United States.
July 4th celebrates the Independence of America, which was stolen from Native Americans and built by African slaves.
Yes, America's independence is a great feat, but how America was built into the most powerful country in the world was executed inappropriately.
Take time to learn about Juneteenth, a critical holiday that has transformed the lives of those who make up the African-American community. Be sure to celebrate this day in which Black human lives were finally given their freedom and humanity.
Progress is progress, no matter how small. As African American people, we still have a long way to go and so much to recover from, but we are moving forward.
Looking For Some Education? Start Here
I always recommend The 13th Documentary as a place to start if you want to understand the effects of racism. It’s a quick hour that won’t take up your entire day to watch; Ava DuVernay did a fabulous job shooting straight to the bone to convey strong and sticking points that will resonate with any soul about the black experience. I encouraged one of my friends, who happens to be white, and doesn’t believe systemic racism is real, to watch this documentary to help her understand everything I try to express to her most patiently about the Black experience.
The 13th Documentary
“In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.”
Intriguing Fact: ~97% of the prison population has never had a trial, which means they have not received their fundamental rights. This is daunting because many people are sitting in prison for no reason — except that they look different from a white person. Many inmates are also too scared to go to trial because it could lead to perceivably longer punishment. And many times, inmates don’t have the resources to fight back, which is devastating.
Uncomfortable Truth: Rich criminals are rewarded with freedom, and poor “criminals” are punished with captivity.
Quotables: One of my favorite sayings from this documentary discusses how systemic racism is like cancer.
Permutations continue to form to ensure racism — and essentially slavery — stay alive due to capitalistic and white supremacist reasons. Thus, blacks in America were to remain and always be second-class citizens.
Here’s an example of the evolution of slavery and racism for minorities — specifically black individuals:
Slavery → convict leasing → disproportionate mass incarceration of minorities for minor offenses→ GPS monitoring, house arrest, ankle/wrist monitors
This doesn’t include plenty of other factors such as: segregated housing, gentrification, and being turned down over an extended period of time for:
Housing
Loans
Educational opportunities
Voting
Employment
Medical access
Etcetera — because the list keeps going
Example: A friend sent me this a while ago. I was surprised and not surprised…
A Collection of Voices
I asked several people what does Juneteenth mean to them. Here are their voices (responses are shared in the order received):
Juneteenth is a milestone that we reached in which we, as black people, were finally viewed as humans. We were given our independence, which started our journey to be equal to our fellow Americans who aren’t of African American descent.— Ayana W.
I feel it’s more political. I feel like it won’t mean anything until a new generation is grown up along with it to be fully accepted. I feel like it’s a pacifier to indulge us. To give us something to celebrate as a minor win. I don’t feel like it’s a step closer to the world accepting and appreciating the black culture. But now something to appease us and give this white country a side of extra pay, holiday, and gathering. — Jordan G.
For a long time, it was just another “black” holiday. I did not know our history. My family didn’t sit us down for dialogue. Now the holiday is a celebration of life and freedom. Most of all, the freedom to worship the Lord without manipulating an artificial “superior” race. — Sade A.
Juneteenth is a necessary reminder of how one race can easily suppress another one, rather that reason is to lift themselves up or something else. It is important to remember all suppressions that have taken place in humankind, so history will not repeat itself. — Dale E.
Juneteenth represents the day that all slaves were freed by law in the United States of America. This means to me that America is trying to moving forward from the past and coming closer together no matter what race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, or religion that we go by. To me, it represents equal treatment for all. So, this Juneteenth, I will be thinking about all the differences we Americans have and see that we can come together and live in peace as one nation. — Clarence A.
Juneteenth reflects and acknowledges history; it embodies our ancestors' journey for equity and their endurance and perseverance. It’s a celebration of freedom and a cue that there is more work to do. Black is Beautiful. — Neika L.
Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day and historically known as Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Emancipation Day) is now a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the end of slavery. I feel this holiday being put in place is long overdue. Also, I hope that all ethnic groups educate themselves on Juneteenth and what it symbolizes for all people, especially African Americans. We have made great progress as a people. I’m very grateful that I can see this great victory happen with Juneteenth being made a federal holiday. — Pleshette H.
I feel inconceivably fortunate for not only living in a free country but also one that acknowledges and celebrates Juneteenth as a national holiday. However, my words will always fall short in expressing the importance of the Emancipation Proclamation made into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Any step toward unity and equality for all — regardless of skin color, ethnicity, or cultural background — should never be taken for granted! Juneteenth is a time to honor our country’s history of turning away from slavery and unequal treatment while looking forward to even brighter days of unity in the future. — Maura W.
Juneteenth means a huge milestone for our nation because we are finally acknowledging God-given constitutional rights and the pursuit of happiness to black People, that have been oppressed and enslaved for so long based on their skin color in our nation. — Victoria B.
It’s a reminder to me as a black man that freedom doesn’t come easily. Even when the president signed the emancipation, it took nearly 2 years for those in Texas to even know about it. It shows me that even though I'm a free man, there are still people who exist that would like to see me bound up and living a non-productive life while only making life better for white people. — Kevin H.
Coming from Jamaica and raised by our Caribbean culture, we never celebrated the Juneteenth holiday. The first time I really knew about the holiday was in my early 20’s, when I was in Atlanta, finishing up my last year in college; they had street festivals on Auburn Ave. This was when I was educated on the holiday. Lots of people did not acknowledge this holiday. I am pleased Biden has made this an official Holiday. Juneteenth represents our ability to come together and the recognition of our black voices. It’s now an official holiday. How amazing is that! We all have to keep the Faith! — Nadine J.
For me, Juneteenth is sadness. It’s sad because, first of all, my people were enslaved for hundreds of years, and still, after receiving their freedom, everyone involved took their time to inform the slaves that they were free to go. Then, once freed more than two years later, they were freed with nothing; they were free to starve, be terrorized, and die. They weren’t given the same basic needs as their white counterparts when they established this land; they were just told to go. So what it means to me is sadness, and out of that sadness evolved a lotus flower; they survived, created, and lived. — Cynthia G.
It runs deep, and it’s supposed to be when we found out they were free, so they danced, sung, cried, embraced each other because they at least had a little piece of that life that they could control. So it’s an appreciation day/joyous occasion, and it was one of the first steps for us not to be treated like cattle. I just hope we don’t treat it like MLK day. — Bree H.
Juneteenth, to me, is a stark reminder of how recent slavery was and how far we still have to go. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and how I fit into the fight for equality and progress. And, of course, it’s a moment to rejoice in the progress we HAVE made. Although I know we’ve still so far to go. — Alek R.
It’s the result of the continual fight for freedom and justice and its importance to continue the fight. — Kex R.
It means a real day of freedom for our ancestors who were in slavery for a long time. It’s more than a holiday celebration. It’s a day to reflect and teach the upcoming generations why this day is important & finally recognized mainstream. If we don’t celebrate and reflect on our history, who else will. — Khalifa D.
So, being raised in CA — with parents from the east coast — we never celebrated Juneteenth that I remember. We did celebrate MLK’s birthday, even before it became a holiday. But, I think Juneteenth’s recognition is well overdue. Hopefully, its history will continue to be a subtle reminder of how African Americans were and are treated in this country that calls itself a good and Godly nation with high ideals that were severely flawed when executed. — Wes E.
Juneteenth is a reminder that 156 years later, we’re still fighting for our people to be freed. — Eboni G.
Juneteenth is a step in the right direction; however, more work needs to be done for the Black community. It’s a recognition of our country’s wrong, and I think it’s time for our government and country to reflect and educate ourselves on Black liberation. But I think this is amazing, and it’s paving the way for more action to come. — Danielle R.
Juneteenth means a lot to me. I remember when my father could not go out of the front door. I know what Martin Luther King did, but we still need more. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to attend a Martin Luther Kind meeting, and I thank God for this day. But we still need more. I remember when my grandmother had to say yes ma’am to a white teenage girl; my family and I all went through a lot. I wish my grandmother were here to see this day to see the progress we’ve made as a community, but we still need more. — Rosa B.
Juneteenth is everything. Fourth of July is a fake holiday, and juneteenth gives our people something to truly celebrate. — Erica C.
If you would like your words about the meaning of Juneteenth to be included in this article, drop a line in the comments.
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Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers free books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained three degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or @ destinyh.com