On June 19, the nation will observe Juneteenth Day. Many Americans will commemorate the holiday by remembering that, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger marched Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to inform Black people of their freedom from chattel slavery in the United States.
"Juneteenth" became a Texas state holiday in 1979 — even though freed Black Texans had been celebrating it as early as June 1866.
While many call Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Jubilee Day, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery.
I remained conflicted after President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. As a Black American, I understood the significance of Juneteenth. However, I couldn't fathom celebrating the abolishment of chattel slavery — the most diabolical and horrendous treatment of humans that this country had enacted on Black people for centuries.
Two hundred fifty thousand enslaved Black people in Texas endured slavery for nearly three years longer, further rubbing salt in the wound. Some enslavers fled to Texas from other parts of the South with their slaves, knowing that chattel slavery had ended, continuing their exploitation, too.
I respected Black Americans who honored the holiday, especially those in Texas. And I honor Ms. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, who achieved her goal of making Juneteenth a federal holiday after years of advocacy.
She once said in an interview that Juneteenth should serve as an "opportunity to educate, heal and solve many of the socioeconomic problems that disproportionately affect the Black community."
Commemorating Juneteenth should be an educational, informative, inspirational, and thought-provoking opportunity to raise awareness about issues that remain among Black people.
Ancient Scriptures record that when the Israelites exited 430 years of slavery, God told them to leave with what Egyptians owed them for their free labor first, and remember the day, telling the story to their offspring.
Juneteenth demands amplifying the story of slavery and emancipation and sharing what freedom meant to the newly freed slaves.
History reveals that five emancipation proclamations were proposed to end slavery and set Black people free. However, enslaved Black people never passively waited for others to free them.
To obtain their freedom, they fought during the Middle Passage and on the way to slave auction blocks. They negotiated with slave owners, enlisted in all United States wars, pleaded their cases in court, and influenced the legislature for their freedom.
Many went to extremes by committing suicide, killing their children so they wouldn't endure slavery, and mutilating themselves, rendering them useless for continuous arduous labor. Others escaped plantations, risking bodily harm or death if captured.
The emancipation of lineage-based Black people in the United States is about them holding on to some pieces of African culture while attempting to carve out another culture. It's about Black Americans escaping bondage, battling injustices, and achieving upward mobility amid countless setbacks, disappointments, violence, and sabotage.
Black American History includes slave revolts, freedom fighters, and the civil rights movement, as well as significant inventions and accomplishments. Turmoil, trauma, joy, and pain amid human weaknesses and flaws of Black people shuffle the pages of Black History.
No, we can't distract from or dismiss Black people's powerful and unique story, struggle, and experience in this country sprinkled with pride, family, and community.
While it takes many hands to move a vision forward, total emancipation of Black people is organized power with Black people in solidarity.
Juneteenth reminds us that beyond celebratory observances, resolutions, and other symbolic gestures, the remembrance must lead to substantive legislation for Black people.
— The Vacaville author is a social issues advocate. 2022 Women of the Year Congressional Award Recipient. E-mail: damitchell@earthlink.net
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