What is Juneteenth?
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery on paper. However, slave-owners continued to profit off of the labor of black people, in some places, for over two years after the order went into effect. On June 19th, 1865, Union troops finally brought the word of black liberation to Galveston, Texas — the last holdout of slavery in the United States. This day of official liberation for all enslaved people in the United States is known as Juneteenth (June + nineteenth).
Many white Americans believe the 4th of July represents the pinnacle of American independence. However, this belief ignores the century of black enslavement post-Declaration of Independence and excludes the experience of black people in the U.S. Thus, Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1865 as a true day of independence for the black community.
To understand the delay between the theoretical liberation of slaves in 1863 and actual liberation in 1865 is to recognize the foundations of racial oppression in our country. Slavery was the economic foundation of the United States, and it took a Civil War, a presidential decree, and changes to our Constitution and Bill of Rights to legally abolish human exploitation. And it still didn’t end there. Black people continued to be exploited for economic gain, not just for the South, but for the entire nation. We must realize that slavery fueled the economic engine of the South and the North alike. The oppression of Black bodies has impacted our entire way of life.
Racial inequality has been a part of the fabric of our nation since the 1600s — an ingrained social rift designed to pit Americans against each other and benefit the wealthiest white men. Jim Crow laws, segregation, redlining, marital laws, and mass incarceration have continued to control the lives of non-white people in the U.S. into the present. This conflict will only be resolved when we look backwards to explore America’s history of colonialism and see the continued effects of colonial economics in the present day.
Juneteenth offers a day of respite and reprisal against the systems that seek to control black bodies in the United States. Though Juneteenth traditions have fluctuated through the years, it has remained a day of community gathering, potlucks, barbecues, sports, praying, singing, and celebrating black culture. 46 states now recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or observance. However, Juneteenth is not an official national holiday.
In addition to community celebration, Juneteenth is also a day of self-improvement and education. In cities across the U.S., local and national Juneteeth organizations host annual celebrations. Now, many communities are organizing virtual Juneteenth events. A quick Facebook search should help you determine if your city has plans for Juneteenth. If not, you could start a local Juneteenth celebration in your city by adding yourself to the National Juneteenth Register.
Whatever you do, spend June 19th intentionally. Perhaps plan a Zoom meeting with your friends or family, or a socially-distant gathering. Use this time to both discuss systemic injustice rooted in slavery and your own racial prejudice. Use this time to feature and lift up black creatives, figures, and culture.
Additionally, check out this interactive tour of exhibits from the National Museum of African American History and Culture or the Juneteenth Virtual Music Festival. BET’s latest news series, Justice Now, highlighting systemic injustice recently called on President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden to speak on the program about disparities in housing, health, income, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. If the two agree, the program will air on Juneteenth.
If you’ve been struggling with what actions to take in the wake of the protests to end racism and police brutality, Juneteenth could be a great place to start. While the system thrives off of keeping black and brown bodies in the dark, segregated into certain neighborhoods, and often afraid to speak up, Juneteenth offers an occasion to be loud, speak out, and honor the black community.
About the Author
Emma Beavins is from Franklin, Indiana—a mid-sized town in the heart of central Indiana. Emma is an avid reader, caffeinated-beverage consumer, and a firm believer in the pancakes-are-better-than-waffles debate. Emma enjoys running half marathons and spending quality time with friends, preferably over breakfast. Emma is studying English and Spanish at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she hopes to be able to use her verbal and written communication skills to advocate for various social justice issues.