Juneteenth is on June 19. And this year (like many things) it has taken on a different meaning and significance…
While still in the midst of a global pandemic, newly declared economic depression, and continued social unrest about police brutality and injustice, we came upon a relatively unheard of but quickly polarized African American holiday called Juneteenth. The History of Juneteenth is myriad with the truth of the atrocities of the Civil War. As a historian, I know that what is taught in high school history classes is a very watered down and easy-to-digest version of events for young minds to comprehend. Unfortunately, that is where most Americans end their understanding of American history and their pursuit of knowledge about American history (except the often dramatized versions of History Channel specials - basically everything is due to aliens…). So the detailed version of how the Civil War ended and the challenges African Americans faced are lost to most Americans. Further, if you were educated in the South you may have been taught a revisionist version of events due to the United Daughters of the Confederacy’s impact on education. So it is easy to see how Juneteenth slipped through the cracks between “the Civil War ended” and “we had Reconstruction.” However, this year due to growing interest in understanding systemic racism and the challenges faced by African Americans and the President’s original Tulsa rally date, Juneteenth was trusted to the forefront.
I’m sure when I originally learned about Juneteenth at FAMU, I probably thought what a mess (come on Union army!), but when I came to Houston back in 2009 and realized it was a big celebration, I was a bit taken aback. I understood that Black people are great at re-appropriating things that are painful into things that are joyful, but I was confused about the celebratory nature of the holiday. I understood that we celebrate independence days all around the world but this didn’t seem like an independence day celebration nor an appropriate “replacement” for Independence Day. My initial thoughts were of how sad it was that it took two years for the Emancipation Proclamation to reach all Southern enslaved people (please note the Emancipation Proclamation did not free every black in the United States) and wondered what are the lasting economic and psychological impacts on Blacks in Texas due to the delay. With the current conversations about Juneteenth, I also wondered what should the appropriate acknowledgement of the now “recognized” holiday look like? Should it be celebratory or sorrowful? Should it be a federal holiday that requires employee compensation or not? And now that the “big brands” wanted to jump on board did that mean commercialization and therefore exploitation was around the corner? And honestly, is there a “right” or “wrong” way to acknowledge any holiday?
In our current set of circumstances, I believe that Juneteenth should become a nationally recognized holiday (I’m reserving judgment on what it means to be a federal holiday and therefore the economics associated with that). And on that day, all cultures should reflect on the history of slavery in this county. Juneteenth is the only day that can do that and with the issues of whitewashing history in America, we need something that tells the harsh truth of how America was built. However, we can also take the day to have conversations and healing about where were are and what yet we have to accomplish as a country towards equality and justice for all. Then communities can choose however they want to acknowledge or celebrate whether its cookouts or shopping sprees.
This year I exercised my freedom by launching a new business venture! Although I come from a different cultural history than some of my Black brothers and sisters, I still believe that economics will lift us all up and I plan to contribute the best way I can. And with all holidays I try to position myself as a producer and not just a consumer, so I wanted to contribute something positive in our ever-changing 2020 landscape. While I do not celebrate or acknowledge most holidays, due to religious reasons, I wanted to give a nod to this day’s current relevance as a marker of the shifts in our society ever since the lockdown and the acknowledgment that the future will be brighter.